Jump to content

Stew Leonard Jr.: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
rm speaker's bureau link: pure advertising
→Early life: In the source
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
 
(45 intermediate revisions by 22 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American supermarket CEO}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Stew Leonard, Jr.
| name = Stew Leonard Jr.
| honorific_suffix =
| honorific_suffix =
| image =
| image = File:Stew Leonard Jr., supermercadista americano, durante palestra na 47ª Convenção ABRAS. (10160937933).jpg
| image_size =
| image_size =
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption = Stew Leonard Jr. in 2013
| birth_date =
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1954}}
| birth_place =
| birth_place =
| disappeared_date = <!-- {{Disappeared date and age|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (disappeared date then birth date) -->
| disappeared_place =
| disappeared_status =
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date then birth date) -->
⚫
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| body_discovered =
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|type:landmark|display=inline}} -->
| residence = [[Westport, Connecticut|Westport]], [[Connecticut]]<ref name="Residence">{{cite news | last =Carlson | first =Wendy | title =Westport First in State to Ban Plastic Bags | newspaper =[[The New York Times]]| location = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =26 September 2008 | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/nyregion/connecticut/28bagsct.html?_r=0 | accessdate = 29 June 2014}}</ref>
| education =
| education =
⚫
| alma_mater = {{plainlist|
| alma_mater = [[Ithaca College]] <small>([[Bachelor of Science|B.S.]], 1977)</small><ref name="Ithaca"/><br/>[[UCLA]] <small>([[Master of Business Administration|MBA]], 1982)</small><ref name="School">{{cite news | author = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | coauthors = | title =Levine Lecture: Stew Leonard | newspaper = | location = | pages = | language = | publisher =Western Carolinian| date =23 February 2005 | url =http://www.westerncarolinian.com/news/view.php/588244/Levine-Lecture-Stew-Leonard | accessdate = 29 June 2014}}</ref>
* [[Ithaca College]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])
⚫
| occupation = President and CEO of [[Stew Leonard's]]<ref name="Anderson">{{cite news | last =Swaby | first =Rachel | title =Stew Leonard's Big Idea | newspaper =| location = | pages = | language = | publisher = [[UCLA Anderson School of Management]]| date =March 2014 | url =http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/assets-digital/lessons-from-the-financial-crisis/stew-leonards | accessdate = 29 June 2014}}</ref>
* [[UCLA]] ([[Master of Business Administration|MBA]])
⚫
}}
⚫
| occupation = President and CEO of [[Stew Leonard's]]<ref name="Anderson">{{cite news | last =Swaby | first =Rachel | title =Stew Leonard's Big Idea | publisher = [[UCLA Anderson School of Management]]| date =March 2014 | url =http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/assets-digital/lessons-from-the-financial-crisis/stew-leonards | accessdate = June 29, 2014}}</ref>
| years_active =
| years_active =
| employer =
| employer =
Line 27: Line 22:
| agent =
| agent =
| known_for =
| known_for =
| home_town =
| salary =
| net_worth = <!-- Net worth should be supported with a citation from a reliable source -->
| net_worth = <!-- Net worth should be supported with a citation from a reliable source -->
| title =
| title =
| religion = <!-- Religion should be supported with a citation from a reliable source -->
| denomination = <!-- Denomination should be supported with a citation from a reliable source -->
| spouse =
| spouse =
| partner = <!-- unmarried life partner; use ''Name (1950–present)'' -->
| partner = {{marriage|Kim Kral|1983}}
| children =
| children = 5
| parents =
| parents =
| relatives =
| relatives =
Line 42: Line 33:
| website =
| website =
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}
}}


'''Stew Leonard Jr.''' (born 1954) is an American businessman who has been president and CEO of [[Stew Leonard's]], a supermarket chain based in [[Connecticut]] and New York, since 1991.<ref name="Anderson"/><ref>{{cite web|last1=Levin-Epstein|first1=Amy|title=A grocery scion reflects on survival and success|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/grocery-scion-stew-leonard-jr-reflects-on-survival-and-success/|website=CBS Money|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=January 25, 2016}}</ref>
'''Stew Leonard, Jr.''' is an [[United States of America|American]] [[Businessperson|businessman]] who is the current president and [[CEO]] of [[Stew Leonard's]], a [[supermarket]] chain based in [[Connecticut]] and [[New York]].<ref name="Anderson"/> Leonard took over as president and CEO of the company in 1991. Since then, the chain has routinely been listed on [[Fortune (magazine)|''Fortune'''s]] list of the "100 Best Companies to Work For."<ref name="CBS">{{cite news | last =Levin-Epstein | first =Amy | title =A grocery scion reflects on survival and success | newspaper =| location = | pages = | language = | publisher = [[CBS MoneyWatch]]| date =16 April 2014 | url =http://www.cbsnews.com/news/grocery-scion-stew-leonard-jr-reflects-on-survival-and-success/ | accessdate = 29 June 2014}}</ref> Leonard and the company are also frequently profiled in marketing textbooks like ''Principles of Marketing'',<ref name="Marketing">{{cite book | last =Kotler | first =Philip | author2=Gary Armstrong | title =Principles of Marketing | publisher =[[Prentice Hall]] | series = | volume = | edition = 15| date =2013 | location = | pages = | language = | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=TahuAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA58&lpg=PA58&dq=%22stew+leonard%22&source=bl&ots=bgxy9iJ-zJ&sig=dXdWgnGw2-vYmvQAvU4_K8Za83k&hl=en&sa=X&ei=n-29U-TsLtHboATisoLgBQ&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q=stew%20leonard&f=false | doi = | id = | isbn =978-0133084047 | mr = | zbl = | jfm = }}</ref> ''Sustaining Knock Your Socks Off Service'',<ref name="Socks">{{cite book | last =Zemke | first =Ron | author2=Thomas K. Connellan | title =Sustaining Knock Your Socks Off Service | publisher =[[American Management Association|AMACOM]] | series = | volume = | edition = | date =1993 | location = | pages = | language = | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=wSghHTCLkhEC&pg=PA11&dq=%22stew+leonard+jr.%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=rcmwU4OKM4-HyATu14DwBg&ved=0CCQQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=%22stew%20leonard%20jr.%22&f=false | doi = | id = | isbn =978-0814451595 | mr = | zbl = | jfm = }}</ref> and ''Modern Human Relations at Work''.<ref name="MHR">{{cite book | last =Hodgetts | first =Richard M. | title =Modern Human Relations at Work | publisher =[[Cengage Learning]] | series = | volume = | edition = 10| date =2013 | location = | pages = | language = | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=ZdwFAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA596&lpg=PA596&dq=stew+leonard+harvard+business+review&source=bl&ots=3Sz_P1sPxF&sig=kbTLlVtsL8jkSYctwloCkif5c18&hl=en&sa=X&ei=7em9U_fKHo_4oATA_IDwBQ&ved=0CEgQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=stew%20leonard&f=false | doi = | id = | isbn =978-0030335792 | mr = | zbl = | jfm = }}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life==
Stew Leonard Jr. was born in 1954 to Marianne (née Guthman) and Stew Leonard Sr (1929-2023). His father was of Irish descent and his mother was of German Jewish descent.<ref name="westchester">{{Cite magazine |url=https://westchestermagazine.com/life-style/the-man-in-the-maze-stew-leonard-jr/ |title=The Man In The Maze: Stew Leonard Jr. |date=2015-01-14 |last=Garrity |first=Philip |website=westchestermagazine.com |access-date=2021-11-20}}</ref> He comes from a long line of family members in the dairy business. His grandfather, Charles Leo Leonard, founded Clover Farms Dairy in [[Norwalk, Connecticut]] in the 1920s.<ref name="NewsTimes">{{cite news | last =Perrefort | first =Dirk | title =Stew Leonard Jr. picked for Previdi Award in Danbury | newspaper =[[The News-Times]]| date =December 2, 2010 | url=http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Stew-Leonard-Jr-picked-for-Previdi-Award-in-854622.php | accessdate = June 29, 2014}}</ref> The elder Leonard and his sons would deliver milk door-to-door straight from the farm. When Charles Leonard died, the business passed to Stew Leonard Sr., who wanted to move beyond being a [[milkman]].<ref name="CNN">{{cite news | last =Whitford | first =David | title =Back From The Brink | publisher = [[CNNMoney]]| date =November 1, 2002 | url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/fsb_archive/2002/11/01/331999/ | accessdate = June 29, 2014}}</ref> Stew Leonard Sr. would then open the original Stew Leonard's dairy store in Norwalk in 1969. Stew Leonard Jr. often worked in that original dairy store as a child, washing out milk cans, loading egg shelves, and performing other basic tasks.<ref name="NewsTimes"/> Leonard graduated from [[Staples High School]] in [[Westport, Connecticut]] in 1972.<ref name="westchester"/>


Stew Leonard, Jr. comes from a long line of family members in the [[dairy]] business. His grandfather, Charles Leo Leonard, founded Clover Farms Dairy in [[Norwalk, Connecticut]] in the 1920s.<ref name="NewsTimes">{{cite news | last =Perrefort | first =Dirk | title =Stew Leonard Jr. picked for Previdi Award in Danbury | newspaper =[[The News-Times]]| location = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =2 December 2010 | url=http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Stew-Leonard-Jr-picked-for-Previdi-Award-in-854622.php | accessdate = 29 June 2014}}</ref> The elder Leonard and his sons would deliver milk door-to-door straight from the farm. When Charles Leonard died, the business passed to Stew Leonard, Sr. who wanted to move beyond being a [[milkman]].<ref name="CNN">{{cite news | last =Whitford | first =David | title =Back From The Brink | newspaper =| location = | pages = | language = | publisher = [[CNNMoney]]| date =1 November 2002 | url=http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/fsb_archive/2002/11/01/331999/ | accessdate = 29 June 2014}}</ref> Stew Leonard, Sr. would then open the original Stew Leonard's dairy store in Norwalk in 1969. Stew Leonard, Jr. often worked in that original dairy store as a child, washing out milk cans, loading egg shelves, and performing other basic tasks.<ref name="NewsTimes"/>
Leonard later attended [[Ithaca College]],<ref name="Ithaca">{{cite news | last =Fostel | first =Robin | title =Stew Leonard Jr. '77 runs a top-100 food company | publisher = Ithaca College Quarterly| date =2003 | url= http://www.ithaca.edu/icq/2003v3/cn/cn1top.htm | accessdate = June 29, 2014}}</ref> earning a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1977.<ref name="School">{{cite news | author = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | title =Levine Lecture: Stew Leonard | publisher =Western Carolinian| date =February 23, 2005 | url =http://www.westerncarolinian.com/news/view.php/588244/Levine-Lecture-Stew-Leonard | accessdate = June 29, 2014}}</ref> He continued his education at [[UCLA]]'s [[UCLA Anderson School of Management|Anderson School of Management]], where he earned a [[Master of Business Administration]] in 1982.<ref name="Anderson"/>


⚫
==Career==
Leonard later attended [[Ithaca College]],<ref name="Ithaca">{{cite news | last =Fostel | first =Robin | title =Stew Leonard Jr. '77 runs a top-100 food company | newspaper =| location = | pages = | language = | publisher = Ithaca College Quarterly| date =2003 | url= http://www.ithaca.edu/icq/2003v3/cn/cn1top.htm | accessdate = 29 June 2014}}</ref> earning a [[Bachelor of Science]] in [[Accounting]] in 1977.<ref name="School"/> He continued his education at [[UCLA|UCLA's]] prestigious [[UCLA Anderson School of Management|Anderson School of Management]], where he earned a [[Master of Business Administration]] in 1982.<ref name="Anderson"/>
Stew Leonard Jr. first took over the helm of Stew Leonard's in 1991, after his father Stew Leonard Sr. was charged with a $17&nbsp;million tax fraud by the IRS.<ref name="CNNmoney">{{cite web|last1=Whitford|first1=David|title=Back From The Brink|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/fsb_archive/2002/11/01/331999/|website=CNN Money|accessdate=January 25, 2016}}</ref> At the time, there was some major concern about Stew Leonard Jr.'s ability to continue the success that the chain had experienced under his father.


⚫
The first few years were turbulent under Stew Leonard Jr., but he quickly turned it around. The store in Norwalk was earning less than $100&nbsp;million in 1991, but, by 2002, Leonard had helped increase sales to $300&nbsp;million with 3 stores.<ref name="CNN"/> Leonard attributes the success of the company to its emphasis on [[customer service]] and employee care.<ref name="SmartRetail">{{cite book | last =Hammond | first =Richard | title =Smart Retail: Practical Winning Ideas and Strategies from the Most Successful Retailers in the World | publisher =[[FT Press]] | edition = 3| date =2011 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=XmMpHfFzlfMC&q=%22stew+leonard+jr.%22&pg=PT147 | isbn =978-0273744542 }}</ref>
⚫
==Career as CEO==


⚫
Under Stew Leonard Jr., the grocery store chain has also been recognized as one of the best places to work in the nation. 82% of all managers are promoted from within, and Stew Leonard's frequently applies [[Reinforcement|positive reinforcement]] to boost employee morale.<ref name="SmartRetail"/> In 1999, Stew Leonard spearheaded the opening of a store in [[Yonkers, New York]]. The store continued the "Disneyesque" theme, but it also housed the first Stew Leonard's Wines store.<ref name="Yonkers">{{cite news | last = McAleer Vizard | first =Mary | title =Commercial Real Estate; Stew Leonard's and Other Stores Set for Yonkers | newspaper = [[The New York Times]]| date =September 1, 1999 | url= https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/01/nyregion/commercial-real-estate-stew-leonard-s-and-other-stores-set-for-yonkers.html | accessdate = July 9, 2014}}</ref>
⚫
Stew Leonard, Jr. first took over the helm of Stew Leonard's in 1991. At the time, there was some major concern about his ability to continue the success that the chain experienced under Stew Leonard, Sr. The first few years were turbulent under Stew Leonard, Jr., but he quickly turned it around. The store in Norwalk was earning less than $100 million in 1991, but, by 2002, Leonard had helped increase sales to $300 million with 3 stores.<ref name="CNN"/> Leonard attributes the success of the company to its emphasis on [[customer service]] and employee care.<ref name="SmartRetail">{{cite book | last =Hammond | first =Richard | title =Smart Retail: Practical Winning Ideas and Strategies from the Most Successful Retailers in the World | publisher =[[FT Press]] | series = | volume = | edition = 3| date =2011 | location = | pages = | language = | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=XmMpHfFzlfMC&pg=PT147&dq=%22stew+leonard+jr.%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=gcmwU8XzEISTyATykYIo&ved=0CEsQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=%22stew%20leonard%20jr.%22&f=false | doi = | id = | isbn =978-0273744542 | mr = | zbl = | jfm = }}</ref> Each store notoriously features a boulder near the entrance with the two primary rules of Stew Leonard's:


⚫
By 2014, Leonard had helped grow the business to four grocery stores. Additionally, there are 9 wine stores across Connecticut, New York, and [[New Jersey]], each of which is independently owned and operated by family members.<ref name="Anderson"/> The food and wine stores cumulatively employ 2,000 people and approach $400&nbsp;million in sales per year. This is despite the fact that the company (proudly) offers only 2,000 items, a large majority of which is perishable and prepared food.<ref name="Anderson"/>
# [[The customer is always right]].
# If the customer is ever wrong, re-read rule #1.<ref name="Achieving">{{cite book | last =Tschohl | first =John | title =Achieving Excellence Through Customer Service | publisher =Bestsellers Publishing | series = | volume = | edition = 5| date =2008 | location = | pages = | language = | url =http://books.google.com/books?id=fQ_q6SCkUJQC&pg=PT146&dq=%22stew+leonard+jr.%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=gcmwU8XzEISTyATykYIo&ved=0CFYQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22stew%20leonard%20jr.%22&f=false | doi = | id = | isbn =978-0963626844 | mr = | zbl = | jfm = }}</ref>


⚫
The success of these business principles has gained Stew Leonard Jr. a significant degree of respect in the [[Retail|retail industry]]. Stew Leonard's Wines was also recognized by ''[[Wine Enthusiast Magazine]]'' as the Retailer of the Year in 2011 and 2013.<ref name="WineMag">{{cite news |url=http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Star-Awards-Video-Archive/ |title=Wine Star Awards Videos |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |work=[[Wine Enthusiast Magazine]] |accessdate=July 9, 2014}}</ref> Leonard is a prominent public speaker and is featured as one of the top orators at the prestigious [[Washington Speakers Bureau]].<ref name="NYTimes">{{cite news | last =Stowe | first =Stacy | title=Governor and Insurance Firm Differ on Reason for Free Trip | newspaper = [[The New York Times]]| date =May 6, 2004 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/06/nyregion/governor-and-insurance-firm-differ-on-reason-for-free-trip.html | accessdate = June 29, 2014}}</ref>
⚫
Under Stew Leonard, Jr., the grocery store chain has also been recognized as one of the best places to work in the nation. 82% of all managers are promoted from within,<ref name="CBS"/> and Stew Leonard's frequently applies [[Reinforcement|positive reinforcement]] to boost employee morale.<ref name="SmartRetail"/> Stew Leonard, Jr. likes to emphasize a sense of community among the employees and the customers while still maintaining a well-defined corporate structure. The store has also been lauded for its fun and family-friendly atmosphere that includes costumed characters, a unique "one-way" aisle-less design, and [[Animatronics|animatronic]] performances. It has been referred to as the "[[Disneyland]] of Dairy Stores."<ref name="Ithaca"/> In 1999, Stew Leonard spearheaded the opening of a store in [[Yonkers, New York]]. The store continued the "Disneyesque" theme, but it also housed the first Stew Leonard's Wines store.<ref name="Yonkers">{{cite news | last = McAleer Vizard | first =Mary | title =Commercial Real Estate; Stew Leonard's and Other Stores Set for Yonkers | newspaper = [[The New York Times]]| location = | pages = | language = | publisher =| date =1 September 1999 | url= http://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/01/nyregion/commercial-real-estate-stew-leonard-s-and-other-stores-set-for-yonkers.html | accessdate = 9 July 2014}}</ref> Leonard's interest in the wine business spurred him to earn a [[Wine & Spirit Education Trust|WSET]] advanced certificate as a [[sommelier]] in 2003.<ref name="Sommelier">{{cite web |url=http://www.internationalwinecenter.com/10_graduates.asp |title=Graduates of International Wine Center |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=http://www.internationalwinecenter.com |publisher=International Wine Center |accessdate=14 July 2014}}</ref>


⚫
==Philanthropy==
⚫
By 2014, Leonard had helped grow the business to 4 grocery stores. Additionally, there are 9 wine stores across Connecticut, New York, and [[New Jersey]], each of which is independently owned and operated by family members.<ref name="Anderson"/> The food and wine stores cumulatively employ 2,000 people and approach $400 million in sales per year.<ref name="CBS"/> This is despite the fact that the company (proudly) offers only 2,000 items, a large majority of which is perishable and prepared food.<ref name="Anderson"/>
⚫
Leonard and his wife, Kim, founded the Stew Leonard III Children's Charities, which offer swimming lessons to thousands of underprivileged youths each year.<ref name="Anderson"/> They have also released a series of children's books about water safety that feature the character, Stewie the Duck. In 2012, they released an app version of the children's book with Stewie the Duck at the forefront. A program featuring the character has been used by firefighters in [[Rialto, California]] and employees at a children's hospital in [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]], Arizona to teach children about water safety.<ref name="NewsTimes02">{{cite news | last = Hutson | first =Nanci G. | title =Stewie Leonard III's legacy is one of water safety for all children | newspaper = [[The News-Times]]| date =May 29, 2012 | url= http://www.newstimes.com/local/article/Stewie-Leonard-III-s-legacy-is-one-of-water-3588182.php | accessdate = July 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://norwalk.dailyvoice.com/lifestyle/stew-leonards-makes-kids-water-safety-a-top-priority/710033|title=Stew Leonard's Makes Kids' Water Safety a Top Priority|date=May 10, 2017}}</ref>


==Personal life==
⚫
The success of these business principles has gained Stew Leonard, Jr. a significant degree of respect in the [[Retail|retail industry]].<ref name="Socks"/> Stew Leonard's Wines was also recognized by [[Wine Enthusiast Magazine]] as the Retailer of the Year in 2011 and 2013.<ref name="WineMag">{{cite web |url=http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Star-Awards-Video-Archive/ |title=Wine Star Awards Videos |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=http://www.winemag.com |publisher=[[Wine Enthusiast Magazine]] |accessdate=9 July 2014}}</ref> Leonard is a prominent [[public speaker]] and is featured as one of the top orators at the prestigious Washington Speakers Bureau.<ref name="NYTimes">{{cite news | last =Stowe | first =Stacy | title=Governor and Insurance Firm Differ on Reason for Free Trip | newspaper = [[The New York Times]]| location = | pages = | language = | publisher =| date =6 May 2004 | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/06/nyregion/governor-and-insurance-firm-differ-on-reason-for-free-trip.html | accessdate = 29 June 2014}}</ref>
Leonard married Kim Kral in 1983. They met while attending college together at UCLA.<ref name="westchester"/> Together, they had five children: four daughters and one son. Their son, Stew "Stewie" Leonard III, drowned at the age of 21 months in 1989.<ref name="westchester"/><ref name="aas">{{Cite web |url=https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Stew+Leonard+Jr./3534 |title=Stew Leonard Jr. |website=allamericanspeakers.com |access-date=2021-11-20}}</ref>


On April 27, 2023, Stew Leonard Jr.'s father, Stew Leonard Sr., died from a short illness at age 93.<ref>{{cite news|publisher = NorthJersey|title=Founder Stew Leonards chain, Stew Leonards Sr. dies as 93|date=April 27, 2023 | url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2023/04/27/stew-leonard-sr-dies-founder-stew-leonards-grocery-chain/70159420007/| access-date = April 27, 2023}}</ref>
⚫
==Philanthropy==


==Awards==
⚫
Leonard and his wife, Kim, founded the Stew Leonard III Children's Charities, which offers [[Human swimming|swimming]] lessons to thousands of underprivileged youths each year.<ref name="Anderson"/> They have also released a series of children's books about water safety that feature the character, Stewie the Duck. In 2012, they released an app version of the children's book with Stewie the Duck at the forefront. A program featuring the character has been used by firefighters in [[Rialto, California]] and employees at a children's hospital in [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]], [[Arizona]] to teach children about water safety.<ref name="NewsTimes02">{{cite news | last = Hutson | first =Nanci G. | title =Stewie Leonard III's legacy is one of water safety for all children | newspaper = [[The News-Times]]| location = | pages = | language = | publisher =| date =29 May 2012 | url= http://www.newstimes.com/local/article/Stewie-Leonard-III-s-legacy-is-one-of-water-3588182.php | accessdate = 9 July 2014}}</ref>
Leonard was awarded the Dale Carnegie Leadership Award.<ref name="aas"/>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.stewleonards.com/ Stew Leonard's Grocery Store]
* [http://www.stewleonards.com/ Stew Leonard's Grocery Store]
* [http://www.stewswines.com/ Stew Leonard's Wines]

{{Persondata
⚫
| NAME = Leonard, Stew Jr.
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Businessperson
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
⚫
}}


⚫
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leonard, Stew Jr.}}
⚫
[[Category:Date of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Ithaca College alumni]]
[[Category:Ithaca College alumni]]
[[Category:UCLA Anderson School of Management alumni]]
[[Category:UCLA Anderson School of Management alumni]]
⚫
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:American retail chief executives]]
[[Category:American retail chief executives]]
[[Category:American chief executives of food industry companies]]
[[Category:American chief executives of food industry companies]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leonard, Stew}}

Latest revision as of 04:01, 12 May 2023

Stew Leonard Jr.
Stew Leonard Jr. in 2013
Born1954 (age 69–70)
Alma mater
Occupation(s)President and CEO of Stew Leonard's[1]
Partner
Kim Kral
​
(m. 1983)​
Children5

Stew Leonard Jr. (born 1954) is an American businessman who has been president and CEO of Stew Leonard's, a supermarket chain based in Connecticut and New York, since 1991.[1][2]

Early life

[edit]

Stew Leonard Jr. was born in 1954 to Marianne (née Guthman) and Stew Leonard Sr (1929-2023). His father was of Irish descent and his mother was of German Jewish descent.[3] He comes from a long line of family members in the dairy business. His grandfather, Charles Leo Leonard, founded Clover Farms Dairy in Norwalk, Connecticut in the 1920s.[4] The elder Leonard and his sons would deliver milk door-to-door straight from the farm. When Charles Leonard died, the business passed to Stew Leonard Sr., who wanted to move beyond being a milkman.[5] Stew Leonard Sr. would then open the original Stew Leonard's dairy store in Norwalk in 1969. Stew Leonard Jr. often worked in that original dairy store as a child, washing out milk cans, loading egg shelves, and performing other basic tasks.[4] Leonard graduated from Staples High School in Westport, Connecticut in 1972.[3]

Leonard later attended Ithaca College,[6] earning a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1977.[7] He continued his education at UCLA's Anderson School of Management, where he earned a Master of Business Administration in 1982.[1]

Career

[edit]

Stew Leonard Jr. first took over the helm of Stew Leonard's in 1991, after his father Stew Leonard Sr. was charged with a $17 million tax fraud by the IRS.[8] At the time, there was some major concern about Stew Leonard Jr.'s ability to continue the success that the chain had experienced under his father.

The first few years were turbulent under Stew Leonard Jr., but he quickly turned it around. The store in Norwalk was earning less than $100 million in 1991, but, by 2002, Leonard had helped increase sales to $300 million with 3 stores.[5] Leonard attributes the success of the company to its emphasis on customer service and employee care.[9]

Under Stew Leonard Jr., the grocery store chain has also been recognized as one of the best places to work in the nation. 82% of all managers are promoted from within, and Stew Leonard's frequently applies positive reinforcement to boost employee morale.[9] In 1999, Stew Leonard spearheaded the opening of a store in Yonkers, New York. The store continued the "Disneyesque" theme, but it also housed the first Stew Leonard's Wines store.[10]

By 2014, Leonard had helped grow the business to four grocery stores. Additionally, there are 9 wine stores across Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, each of which is independently owned and operated by family members.[1] The food and wine stores cumulatively employ 2,000 people and approach $400 million in sales per year. This is despite the fact that the company (proudly) offers only 2,000 items, a large majority of which is perishable and prepared food.[1]

The success of these business principles has gained Stew Leonard Jr. a significant degree of respect in the retail industry. Stew Leonard's Wines was also recognized by Wine Enthusiast Magazine as the Retailer of the Year in 2011 and 2013.[11] Leonard is a prominent public speaker and is featured as one of the top orators at the prestigious Washington Speakers Bureau.[12]

Philanthropy

[edit]

Leonard and his wife, Kim, founded the Stew Leonard III Children's Charities, which offer swimming lessons to thousands of underprivileged youths each year.[1] They have also released a series of children's books about water safety that feature the character, Stewie the Duck. In 2012, they released an app version of the children's book with Stewie the Duck at the forefront. A program featuring the character has been used by firefighters in Rialto, California and employees at a children's hospital in Phoenix, Arizona to teach children about water safety.[13][14]

Personal life

[edit]

Leonard married Kim Kral in 1983. They met while attending college together at UCLA.[3] Together, they had five children: four daughters and one son. Their son, Stew "Stewie" Leonard III, drowned at the age of 21 months in 1989.[3][15]

On April 27, 2023, Stew Leonard Jr.'s father, Stew Leonard Sr., died from a short illness at age 93.[16]

Awards

[edit]

Leonard was awarded the Dale Carnegie Leadership Award.[15]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Swaby, Rachel (March 2014). "Stew Leonard's Big Idea". UCLA Anderson School of Management. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  2. ^ Levin-Epstein, Amy. "A grocery scion reflects on survival and success". CBS Money. CBS News. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d Garrity, Philip (January 14, 2015). "The Man In The Maze: Stew Leonard Jr". westchestermagazine.com. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Perrefort, Dirk (December 2, 2010). "Stew Leonard Jr. picked for Previdi Award in Danbury". The News-Times. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  5. ^ a b Whitford, David (November 1, 2002). "Back From The Brink". CNNMoney. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  6. ^ Fostel, Robin (2003). "Stew Leonard Jr. '77 runs a top-100 food company". Ithaca College Quarterly. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  7. ^ "Levine Lecture: Stew Leonard". Western Carolinian. February 23, 2005. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  8. ^ Whitford, David. "Back From The Brink". CNN Money. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  9. ^ a b Hammond, Richard (2011). Smart Retail: Practical Winning Ideas and Strategies from the Most Successful Retailers in the World (3 ed.). FT Press. ISBN 978-0273744542.
  10. ^ McAleer Vizard, Mary (September 1, 1999). "Commercial Real Estate; Stew Leonard's and Other Stores Set for Yonkers". The New York Times. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  11. ^ "Wine Star Awards Videos". Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  12. ^ Stowe, Stacy (May 6, 2004). "Governor and Insurance Firm Differ on Reason for Free Trip". The New York Times. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  13. ^ Hutson, Nanci G. (May 29, 2012). "Stewie Leonard III's legacy is one of water safety for all children". The News-Times. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  14. ^ "Stew Leonard's Makes Kids' Water Safety a Top Priority". May 10, 2017.
  15. ^ a b "Stew Leonard Jr". allamericanspeakers.com. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  16. ^ "Founder Stew Leonards chain, Stew Leonards Sr. dies as 93". NorthJersey. April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Stew_Leonard_Jr.&oldid=1154387081"