OHIO GROCERS ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME Henry Nemenz honored for service

The honoree owns 12 grocery stores in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
COLUMBUS -- Area grocer Henry P. Nemenz Sr. will be inducted into the Ohio Grocers Association Hall of Fame, Class of 2005, for his contributions to the retail food industry.
Three others from around the state also are being inducted into the OGA's Hall of Fame.
Honorees are selected for the award based on their business success, community service, lifetime achievements, industry participation service and awards.
Tom Jackson, president and chief executive officer of the OGA noted, "Members of the Class of 2005 are respected leaders in the grocery business. In addition to Ohio, they also are recognized leaders among national retail organizations."
He added, "It's an honor to be able to recognize these industry leaders for their accomplishments and contributions to Ohio's food industry."
Nemenz, of Poland, who started working full time in the retail food industry in 1957, worked at the grocery stores started by his parents, Anna and Gus Nemenz in North Lima and New Middletown.
Since going out on his own in the late 1970s, Nemenz has been a leader in the local food industry, currently owning nine Save-A-Lot and three IGA stores.
Although not a stranger to awards for his achievements, he said he was grateful for the recognition.
"I was very pleased to learn I would be receiving this honor, but I really didn't expect it," he said.
Involvement
His involvement in the food industry includes serving on the board of directors of the Youngstown Area Grocers Association, Ohio Grocers Association and chairman of the Ohio Food Industry Foundation, which provides scholarships and advanced training to students.
In addition, Nemenz has been active in the community as past president of the Poland Rotary and founder and chairman of the Rotary's Chili Open, which raises funds to benefit nonprofit organizations in the area.
He also has been honored as a Paul Harris Fellow for contributions made to the National Rotary Foundation that is committed to projects to help others around the world.
Nemenz is a past recipient of the "Philanthropist of the Year" award given by the Mahoning/Shenango Valley Association of Fund Raising Executives for his generosity to the community.
He also has been the honorary chair of the American Heart Association as well as the Red and White Ball, an annual fund-raiser of the Mahoning Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Nemenz will be officially honored and inducted into the Hall of Fame at a regional association luncheon on Aug. 30 at Mr. Anthony's in Boardman.