Today, at the IFDA Distribution Solutions Conference, former Ben E. Keith Foods President J. Michael Roach awarded Nicola Buchanan, Director of Business Development and Engagement, Performance Foodservice, the 2022 Mike Roach Leadership Award. The award recognizes an outstanding participant from each annual class of the IFDA Executive Development Program.
“When I started my distribution career in sales as a 21-year-old, fresh from college graduate, I had no idea that I would have the opportunities that I have in foodservice,” said Nicola. “Foodservice Distribution has allowed me to combine my love for food, hospitality, and the people in the foodservice business with my passion for growth and development – in myself and others.”
“Through all those experiences I’ve continued to learn and grow and have been offered many opportunities to continue my professional development but being selected by the leadership team about Performance Food Group to attend the IFDA Executive Development Program through the University of Virgina, Darden School of Business, has been a huge honor,” Nicola stated.
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. The award honors Mike Roach and his many contributions to the foodservice distribution industry in his leadership role at Ben E. Keith Foods, serving on the IFDA Board of Directors for 16 years, and serving for two years as the IFDA Chairman.
For more information on the IFDA Executive Development Program,
click here.