Fowler claims IFDA’s 2019 Mike Roach Leadership Award

Lori Fowler, president of Performance Foodservice-Little Rock, recently won the 2019 Mike Roach Leadership Award.  

The International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA), in conjunction with Ben E Keith Foods, established the award to honor a top student in its Executive Development Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business who embodies the leadership qualities of former Ben E Keith Foods President J Michael Roach.

“Our industry is evolving at an unprecedented rate and we need exceptional leaders like Lori to help lead us into the future,” said Mark S Allen, president and CEO of IFDA. “Clearly the feedback from her industry colleagues reinforces that Lori is an exceptional professional who serves as an example of excellence.”

Nominated by their Darden peers and professors, the award winner is chosen based upon their exceptional communication skills, strong critical thinking, passion for people, vision as a leader and respect for their peers, IFDA said. The award honors Roach and his many contributions to the foodservice distribution industry during his time at Ben E Keith, and while serving on IFDA’s board of directors for 16 years, and two years as the IFDA Chairman.

“I am honored to be recognized by those that I consider tremendous leaders and inspirational peers,” Fowler said. “This program changes your approach to business and gives you the tools and confidence to grow as a strategic leader.”

For more information on the IFDA Executive Development Program, visit ifdaonline.org/learning/executive-development-program.