C-store Distribution Leaders Honored at CDBX Event

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Convenience Distribution Association (CDA), formerly AWMA, inducted Dick Dunham into its Hall of Fame and presented Dave Riser with the Dean of the Industry Award Sept. 13 at its Convenience Distribution Business Exchange event here.

The CDA Hall of Fame Award recognizes industry executives for outstanding and longstanding contributions to the convenience distribution industry and their commitment and service to the association.

Dunham is vice president of operations at Stephenson Wholesale Co. in Durant, Okla. He has spent nearly his entire professional career with distribution and grocery companies and was presented the award by Sherwin Herring, CEO at Southco Distributing Co. He formerly served as chair of the American Wholesale Marketers Association (AWMA), CDA's predecessor organization.

"Dick participates in everything that CDA offers — the CDBX, annual convention, Day on the Hill, and Industry Affairs committee meetings at vendor locations," said Herring, who succeeded him as AWMA chair. "You name it, whether it is at the state, regional or national level, Dick is there working and participating."

Dunham has been a great contributor to the CDA and the industry in general, added Kimberly Bolin, CDA’s president and CEO.

"His insight and leadership have been extremely valuable over the years, and at the same time, his bright spirit and sense of humor helps us to always keep things in perspective,” she said. “We are honored to include Dick Dunham in the CDA Hall of Fame."

The Dean of the Industry Award is presented annually by CDA in recognition of an industry executive's longstanding service and commitment to his company and the convenience distribution industry.

Riser is vice president of external relations-trade marketing at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. He is known in the trade as "the doctor" because of his vast knowledge of the distribution and tobacco industries and his specialty, government relations. He was presented the award by Jode Bunce, vice president, cigarettes at Eby-Brown Co.

"Dave is very committed," said Mike Auger, executive vice president of trade marketing for R.J. Reynolds. "Everything is important. He goes 110 percent in. That is why he's so good at what he does and why he is so respected. He takes everything very seriously."

Riser has long been active in the CDA.

"I'm very fortunate to have genuine relationships with many customers around the country, but especially with distributors," he said. "They are friends. They know about my life, my kids. I cherish those relationships. They have helped me all along the way."

Reston, Va.-based Convenience Distribution Association (CDA) is the trade organization working on behalf of convenience products distributors in the United States. Its distributor members represent more than $92 billion in U.S. convenience product sales, serving a wide variety of small retail formats.