The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), Scottsdale, Ariz., presents its Industry Collaboration Leadership award this year to Food Marketing Institute (FMI) chairman, Frederick J. Morganthall II, president and COO of Harris Teeter Inc. The award recognizes an industry leader who demonstrates excellence in fostering collaboration among trading partners and programs throughout his or her career that better serve the consumer.

Morganthall addressed the topic of partnering head-on. “Collaboration is a requirement,” he says of the union between the FMI and the GMA. “We can't find solutions to problems ranging from government to food safety without working together.”

States Pamela G. Bailey, president and CEO of the GMA, “Morganthall’s leadership, passion and commitment have mobilized the retail and CPG industries to work together in new and innovative ways around the shared goals of serving the consumer and responsible growth. At a time when our industry is facing many challenges, it is only fitting that we recognize the exemplary leadership that motivates and inspires us to strive for a higher level of trading partner collaboration.”

Morganthall started working in the food industry in 1973 at Procter & Gamble and went on to join the wholesale and retail side of the business at Spartan Stores from 1978-1986, when he joined North Carolina-based Harris Teeter Inc. In 1997, he became president of this sixth-ranked chain in Consumer Report’s list of “Top Food Retailers.”