<p>Save Mart is announcing George Bettencourt, manager of the Ceres Save Mart store, as the recipient of the 2014 Nicholas J. Tocco Store Manager of the Year Award, according to the Ceres Courier. This is the 20th year of the coveted award, honoring managers of Save Mart, S-Mart Foods, Lucky, Maxx Value Foods, and Foodmaxx stores.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"George Bettencourt is a top-rate store manager. He has demonstrated a continuous commitment to excellence for store performance, customer service and commitment to his community. He is a strong leader and great person," said Steve Junqueiro, president and Chief Operating Officer of Save Mart Supermarkets.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">During the company's annual management appreciation gala held on Jan. 11, 10 nominees for the award were presented. Al Rojewski, Kingsburg Save Mart Store Manager, and Mike Cook, Lucky Store Manager in Oakley - were named first and second runners-up, respectively.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"Ceres is a tight-knit community and I am proud to be part of its fabric," said Bettencourt. "Our shoppers are also our neighbors and friends. This award was given to me, but it also belongs to the store team who work hard every day to provide top-level customer service."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Bettencourt started his grocery career Albertsons in 1986, working his way up from utility clerk to store manager. Bettencourt said that he is passionate about running a store strong on what he considers to be the basics: service, freshness and value.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">This year's Nicholas J. Tocco nominees also included:<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Rich Alstad - Save Mart store on Pelandale Road in Modesto;<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Tony Angoletta - Save Mart store in Riverbank;<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• John Bettencourt - Lucky store on Portola Ave. in Livermore;<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• David Gonzalez - Save Mart store on N. Milburn in Fresno;<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Gerg Gilliam - Save Mart store in Hollister;<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Kevin Miyasaki - Save Mart store on W. Clinton in Fresno;<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Al Rojewski - Save Mart store in Kingsburg;<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Greg Wagenman - Save Mart store on Geer Road in Turlock.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The Store Manager of the Year award was presented by Save Mart Supermarkets' Owner and Chairman Bob Piccinini. The award was created in order to honor the late Nicholas J. Tocco, Co-Founder of Save Mart Supermarkets. Nominees for the award meet the company's standards for store performance, customer service, and community involvement.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">George Bettencourt received an etched blown glass vase, travel certificate, and cash. Runners-up received cash awards and all nominees received a framed certificate.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://beta.cerescourier.com/section/11/article/2346/">Ceres Courier</a><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.savemart.com/">Save Mart</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
