SALISBURY — Food Lion is proud to announce more than 350 associates are celebrating more than 30 years of service this year. Among them are 41 long-term associates from stores in the greater Salisbury area.  

On April 18, associates were honored during an annual event where the retailer shares appreciation and gratitude for long-term associates, presenting them with the “Years of Service Award.” These individuals bring Food Lion’s brand, strategy and culture to life and have served their towns and cities for 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years. At the event, each associate’s name, position, location and service milestone were read aloud and celebrated. Collectively, their tenure is 12,320 years. 

“Recognizing the dedication and contributions of our associates who have served Food Lion for many years is a true honor for us,” said Meg Ham, president of Food Lion. “Their commitment to excellence, care for our customers and impact in the towns and cities we serve is invaluable. We are incredibly fortunate to have such passionate and dedicated associates who continue to make a positive difference every day.” 

Food Lion employs 82,000 associates at more than 1,100 stores across 10 states. 

The following local associates were recognized: 

30 years of service 

• Mitzi Bare, specialty merchandise associate from China Grove 

• Alice Blackwelder, deli bakery sales associate from China Grove 

• Reginald Beamon, specialist II – operations from Salisbury 

• Tomi Brown, specialist II – merchandising from Salisbury 

• Jennifer Brown, manager III – merchandising from Salisbury 

• Scott Fisher, vice president I – merchandising from Salisbury 

• Jason Fore, director I – operations from Salisbury 

• Brandi Langford, director II – human resources from Salisbury 

• Eric Oguich, manager I – operations from Salisbury 

• Gregory Ratley, specialist II – operations from Salisbury 

• Kim Rollins, specialist II – merchandising from Salisbury 

• Erin Valley, manager III – merchandising from Salisbury 

• Kim Williams, manager I – human Resources from Salisbury 

• Rob Wilson, manager I – operations from Salisbury 

35 years of service 

• Richard Atkins, specialist II – operations from Salisbury 

• Bill Bednarz, specialist II – operations from Salisbury 

• Jason Blevins, director I – operations from Salisbury 

• Chuck Conard, SP project team member I from Salisbury 

• Chris Creed, specialist II – merchandising from Salisbury 

• Mary Floyd, specialist II – operations from Salisbury 

• Debbie Hanley, specialist II – merchandising from Salisbury 

• Keith Hayes, specialist II – operations from Salisbury 

• Lynn Hurst, specialist II – merchandising from Salisbury 

• Wendy Jones, deli bakery sales manager (H) from Salisbury 

• Robert Matthews, manager III – merchandising from Salisbury 

• John Mullen, specialist II – operations from Salisbury 

• Jeffrey Oliver, sales associate from Salisbury 

• Ira Peters, specialist II – merchandising from Salisbury 

• Steve Petty, director II – operations from Salisbury 

• Dennis Semones, SP project team member I from Salisbury 

• Calvin Smith, specialist II – merchandising from Salisbury 

• Jerry Spraggins, specialist II – operations from Salisbury 

40 years of service 

• Elaine Burgess, supervisor II – merchandising from Salisbury 

• Karen Fernald, senior vice president I – merchandising from Salisbury 

• Rodney Jackson, director I – operations from Salisbury 

• Richard Lacroix, vice president II – operations from Salisbury 

• Kenneth Marshall, specialist II – merchandising from Salisbury 

• Keith Mcrae, perishable manager (H) from Salisbury 

• Garland Scarboro, manager I – human resources from Salisbury 

45 years of service 

• Ricky Murphy, SP project team member I from Salisbury 

• Joy Williams, manager I – merchandising from Salisbury