OUR BOARD
CFIG Board of Directors.
CFIG is governed by a Board of Directors elected from its membership, ensuring strong regional representation from across the country.
Leadership That Represents and Serves Our Members
The Board sets the strategic direction of the federation, while the national office, led by the President, carries out day-to-day operations in line with Board policies. Advisory committees made up of members from across Canada provide ongoing industry insight and support.
Ron Welke
President & CEO
Brian Bradley
Chair Vancouver, BC
President, Stong’s Markets
Rick Rabba
Vice Chair Mississauga, ON
President, The J. Rabba Company Ltd./Rabba Fine Foods
Dominic Arsenault
Treasurer Coaticook, QC
Owner, IGA Coaticook
Jim Hamilton
Treasurer Ponoka, AB
Owner, Hammy’s AG Foods
Brad Fletcher
Secretary Markham, ON
President, The Village Grocer
Erin Higdon
Honorary Past Chair Bay Roberts, NL
Vice President, Powell’s Supermarkets
Nathalie Coutayar
Member at Large Hamilton, ON
Merchandising & Marketing Senior Manager, R. Denninger Limited./Denninger’s Foods of the World
Craig Cavin
Director Victoria, BC
Operations Director, Country Grocer
Gene Coleman
Director Corner Brook, NL
Director of Operations, Coleman Group of Companies
Ben Harrack
Director Langley, BC
Senior Vice President, Merchandising & Manufacturing, Pattison Food Group
Neil Kennedy
Director Strathmore, AB
Owner, Sobeys Strathmore
Adele Kostura
Director Edmonton, AB
Director Independent Food Business (TGP), Federated Co-Operatives Limited
Joey Bernaudo
Director Vaughan, ON
Vice President Merchandising, Longo Bros.
Mike Sharpe
Director Campbellford, ON
Owner, Sharpe’s Food Market
Debbie Unick
Director Saskatoon, SK
Director of Ag & Consumer Business Transformation, Federated Co-op
Jason Vesely
Director Westlock, AB
Assistant Store Manager, Sobeys Westlock
John Pritchett
Director Bay Roberts, NL
General Manager, Powell’s Groups of Companies
2024/25
Jamie & Becky Nelson
Pattison Food Group
Langley, BC
2023/24
Dan & Teresa Bregg
Pattison Food Group
Calgary, AB
2022–23
Giancarlo & Kristen Trimarchi
Vince’s Market
Sharon, ON
2019–22
Ron & Tara Welke
Federated Co-operative Ltd.
Saskatoon, SK
2018/19
Christy McMullen
Summerhill Market
Toronto, ON
2017/18
Jim & Vicky Bexis
Sun Valley Supermarket Inc.
Scarborough, ON
2016/17
Peter & Laura Cavin
Country Grocer
Victoria, BC
2015/16
Dave & Regina Powell
Powell’s Supermarket Ltd.
Bay Roberts, NL
2014/15
Joe & Donna Longo
Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.
Vaughan, ON
2013/14
Scott & Susanne Mitchell
Market Street Vulcan
Vulcan, AB
2011/13
Brent & Jane Battistelli
Battistelli’s Your Independent Grocer
Lively, ON
2010/11
Cori Bonina & Ken Nilsson
Stong’s Markets Ltd.
Vancouver, BC
2005/06
Mike & Dorothy Coleman
Colemans Food Centre Head Office
Corner Brook, NL
2003/04
Mike & Gloria Lovsin
Freson Market Ltd.
Stony Plain, AB
2000/02
Anthony & Gay Longo
Longo Bros. Fruit Markets Inc.
Vaughan, ON
1999/00
Peter / Jacqui Knipfel
The Grocery Store
Chesley, ON
1996/97
Bruce / Renate Logan
Village Food Markets
Sooke, BC
1992/93
Lawrence / Helen Lanovaz
Lanovaz Family Foods
Duck Lake, SK
Our Mission
A Strong Voice for Independent Grocers
CFIG’s mission is to champion and strengthen independent grocers across Canada. We bring together retailers, suppliers, and industry partners to provide leadership, advocacy, and practical resources that support growth, innovation, and long-term success within the grocery industry.
Mission AT CFIG
Empowering Independent Grocers, Together
The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1962, which continues to be a collaborative community, equipping and enabling independent, franchised and specialty grocers for sustainable success. CFIG is the strong and united voice of independent grocery retailers to Industry, Governments and consumers across Canada. CFIG also provides programs for our members that support operational excellence while fostering meaningful and fair relationships among retailers, distributors, and suppliers to help enhance the strength of Canada’s agri-food industry.
Programs & Events
Brings the industry together through national platforms
We unite the grocery industry through events like Grocery Innovations Canada, Grocery & Specialty Food West, and the CFIG Golf Classic. We also celebrate excellence through initiatives like the IGYA, Master Merchandiser Awards and Scholarship Program.
Advocacy
CFIG is the voice of independent grocers
Advocating for fair competition, sustainable growth, and policies that support retailers across Canada.