CHAIR’S MESSAGE
A fresh year
R EN EE A M EN S UPER A FOODS, IN C.
many changes to California politics I am overjoyed to continue the work of Immediate Past Chair Hee-Sook Nelson and carry on the legacy of my dad, Lou Amen, and my brother, Jim, in my position as Board Chair of CGA. Growing up at Super A and working in the grocery industry since I was 12 years old, I’ve had a front row seat to the impacts of California politics on businesses. A fresh year means many changes to California politics. Coming off last year’s gubernatorial recall and entering 2022 with newly imagined districts, supply chain troubles, and unpredictable COVID variants, there are plenty of conflicting ideas swirling around about how our state should run. Luckily, my fellow columnists break down everything you need to know politics-wise in this issue. Over the past several months, an inordinate number of elected officials have bowed out early before the end of their term, abandoning constituents despite the promise to represent them. While this is partially due to opportunities elsewhere, it is a largely a result of representatives’ voters no longer residing in their newly assigned districts. Elected officials shouldn’t only be willing to represent those who agree with them. Leaders elected by the people should serve
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with honesty and have California’s best interest in mind first and foremost. Though political divisiveness seems to be all around us, we cannot lose sight of our togetherness.
I also look forward to building upon the foundation laid by my colleagues, Phil Miller and Hee-Sook Nelson, to prioritize diversity in our industry.
It is essential that we are able to have conversations with one another, even if we disagree, and work together. Instead of fixating on our differences, we should use them to our advantage as a glimpse into different perspectives and creative ways to represent our state’s diverse population.
We must make an effort to set out to understand those with different perspectives from our own. We all have a lot to learn and can achieve solutions that benefit our state if we practice tolerance and work across the aisle.
To help ensure that the Legislature hears our industry’s perspective on pressing issues in our state, I urge you to donate to CGA’s GroPAC.
(Scan QR code to make your donation.)
The grocery industry has long been home to all types of people and opinions, and we will continue to welcome differences in the interest of reflecting our communities.
Our industry knows all too well how quickly things can change. I, myself have seen our customers at Super A shift dramatically over the past few years. No matter how much the neighborhoods around us change, we know that our commitment to service for our communities stays the same. As Chair I look forward to further advancing the industry I’ve called home my whole life. One last note: It was a pleasure to connect with my friends and peers at the Independent Operators Symposium in January to discuss upcoming priorities and give back to Oahu’s local community, as you will read in CGA News. After a successful Symposium, I am energized by what grocers are looking forward to in 2022. When we work together and lead with integrity, there is nothing we can’t achieve. ■
