PHOENIX — Neil Golub, chairman of the board of Price Chopper Supermarkets, has been awarded the Sidney R. Rabb Award by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). Golub was recognized for his statesmanship and service to the community.

Neil Golub, chairman of the board of Price Chopper Supermarkets, has been awarded the Sidney R. Rabb Award by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). Golub was recognized for his statesmanship and service to the community.

In conferring the honor, FMI particularly noted Golub’s role in leading the revitalization of downtown Schenectady, N.Y., where Price Chopper is headquartered. Like many Northeastern cities, Schenectady has struggled with the exodus of large employers over the last several decades.

Golub led the drive to reverse the trend. "Neil was instrumental in developing Schenectady 2000, creating the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority and promoting legislation tht resulted in one-half of one percent of county sales tax being dedicated to redevelopment efforts in the community," said Ray Gillen, commissioner of the Schenectady County Economic Development and Planning Department.

The sales tax consequently creates a recurring revenue stream that amounts to approximately $10 million per year for community rebuilding efforts. "The result has been over $700 million in new private and public investment and a major upgrade to downtown Schenectady," Gillen added.

In 2010 Golub demonstrated that he was prepared to walk the walk as well as talk the talk by relocating Price Chopper’s headquarters to Schenectady’s downtown area. The new, green headquarters building, which is LEED Gold-Level certified, was built on the site of a deserted American Locomotive Co. plant. The construction was the lead project in a 60-acre waterfront redevelopment project.

In addition to his leadership in economic and civic revival efforts, Golub, together with his wife, Jane, has been extraordinarily active in philanthropy and serving others. They have worked with the Anti-Defamation League to mitigate bullying and bigotry in schools and also played a catalytic role in an anti-bias campaign called “Be an Ally.” As a result, the couple was honored by the ADL with its first Americanism Award for Community Service.

Other causes that the Golubs have dedicated themselves to include the United Way, the Special Olympics, the Breast Cancer Research Fund and the Double H Ranch, funded originally by Paul Newman for children and families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Golub stepped up and took the role of chairman during a challenging time for the camp and served for nine years before being named honorary chairman for life.

"Neil continues to have a tremendous impact on the children and staff at Double H, working closely with every level of employee to ensure they understand the importance of their work and the impressive influence of the Double H team," said Max Yurenda, executive director and chief executive officer.

Golub has been active in other health-related causes as well, including co-anchoring the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon in the Capital Region of New York and serving as national vice president of the organization. He was also chairman of Bellevue Women’s Hospital for six years and worked to see that its unique services for women were incorporated into Ellis Medicine, a new consolidated health care system in the region.

Also recognized by FMI for his philanthropic works was J.H. Campbell Jr., president and CEO of Associated Grocers Inc. Campbell received the organization’s Herbert Hoover Award for humanitarian service in the food industry.

For his efforts in creating an environment in which supply chain members can work together effectively, J.K. Symancyk, president of Meier Inc., received the Industry Collaboration Leadership Award given by the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

Among other honorees, Kevin Davis, president and CEO of Bristol Farms, received the Robert B. Wegman Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence, while Joanie Taylor, director of consumer affairs and community relations for Schnuck Markets Inc. took the Esther Peterson Award for her commitment as an advocate and voice of the consumer. Rose Mitchell, who recently retired as vice president of education and governmental affairs at Hy-Vee Inc., was honored with the Glen P. Woodard Jr. Public Affairs Award for her wide-ranging accomplishments both in government relations and corporate training at Hy-Vee.