For the Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN – Bob Jaskolski and Nate Weitz of Trig’s last week received honors from the Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA), according to releases from the WGA.
Jaskolski, President and CEO of T.A. Solberg Co., Inc. (Trig’s) was selected as the 2020 Grocer of the Year, the WGA’s highest honor. A surprise presentation took place on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at T.A. Solberg’s Corporate Office, 420 Oneida St. in Minocqua. Bob was nominated by Nate Vollmer, Director of Human Resources at Trig’s.
Weitz, nominated by Keven Niemi of Kemps Dairy, received the Excellence in Operations Award and was also recognized at the company’s Minocqua office on Aug. 19.
Bob Jaskolski
“Bob Jaskolski has a full background in all areas of grocery operations, including retail, wholesale, guest service, and food production,” a release from WGA states.
He started with T.A. Solberg Co., Inc. in 2016 and currently serves as President and CEO. Bob has also been a member of the WGA Board of Directors as a warehouse representative and currently serves as a retail member.
“What sets Bob apart from others in the industry, according to his nomination, is ‘his passion and dedication to serving the industry and leading our company through adversity and progressive change (planned and unplanned) while maintaining uncompromising ethical standards to build an atmosphere of trust and servant leadership throughout,’” the release says.
Jaskolski’s “leadership, encouragement, and drive” helped the company navigate “a cyber-attack, a fire that destroyed their bakery production and trucking facility, a power outage that required full-store replenishment of all refrigerated product, and last but certainly not least, the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“It was under his guidance, organization, vision, and empowerment that helped to drive the company to be stronger after all these challenges,” the release says.
Numerous training programs have been introduced by Jaskolski, including Store Director Institute Training, Active Shooter Training, CPR/First Aid and AED device Training and Leadership Coaching.
Jaskolski has also helped the company with community involvement.
“The company’s community involvement is extensive in all the communities they serve and Bob’s passion lies in providing for the needs of the children in those communities,” the release states. “He helped to create a long-term partnership with the Blessings in a Backpack program, where Trig’s helps to fill hundreds of bags of food, donated by and many times distributed by Trig’s associates. Bob is also instrumental in Trig’s annual sponsorship of the Howard Young Dragon Boat Festival, contributing materials and product, as well as having Trig’s stores raise funds for the Howard Young Foundation which helps to support health and wellness in the Northwoods.”
Nate Weitz
This is the 17th year the WGA has presented the Excellence in Operations Award, according to a WGA release.
“The award is intended to recognize store owners, managers and store directors in the grocery industry who are on the front-lines every day and instrumental in the success of their stores,” said Brandon Scholz, President & CEO of the WGA.
Weitz began his grocery career with the 29 Super chain in 1996, and in 2004 he was hired at the Wausau Trig’s location as Assistant Grocery Manager. He was promoted to Grocery Manager in 2009, and in 2016 was promoted to Director of Center Store Merchandising, which includes center store buying and supervising for all of T.A. Solberg Co., Inc.
According to his nomination, “Nate is a fiscally responsible buyer; he does so with integrity and respect towards the company, its employees and vendor partners.”
“In his role as Center Store Director, Nate works with new members of the Trig’s leadership team by educating and working with them through Trig’s own leadership training program,” the release says. “He instituted a new, companywide more efficient and accurate inventory program and has been instrumental in Trig’s new growth strategy, opening three new locations in Manitowish Waters, Schofield and Tomahawk, as well as extensive remodels at the Minocqua and Rhinelander locations.”
Through Trig’s, Weitz remains involved with charitable work in his home community of Wausau, contributing to the Kemps Giving Cow project to donate over 27,000 units of shelf stable milk to the Wausau area Blessings in a Backpack Program. He also helps coordinate Trig’s “Stuff-A-Truck” fundraiser, as well as the food donations made to other area organizations, including Weekend Food for Kids, Prince of Peace Church, Neighbor’s Place, Salvation Army, Peyton’s Promise, & Marathon County Hunger Coalition.
“T.A. Solberg Co., Inc. has also recognized Nate’s talents, work ethic and leadership skills by naming him the TASU (TA Solberg University) Servant Leader of the Year Award as well as the TAS (TA Solberg) Outstanding Business Leader Award,” the release says.