The Illuminators

The Illuminators is an organization of vendors and suppliers dedicated to developing and enhancing key relationships within the grocery industry, providing opportunities for education and leadership, and supporting the Illuminators Educational Foundation.

In September 1928, just prior to the annual convention of the California Retail Grocers and Merchants Association, a group of allied tradesmen gathered to consider a plan for improving methods of entertaining at grocery meetings. This plan met with unanimous approval, and during that same month The Illuminators came into being.

From the start, the roster of membership has been a “Who’s Who” of the leaders in the food industry. There were 51 members the first year, who pioneered the infancy of the organization. One of the principal responsibilities has been to provide fun and relaxation at the annual gathering of grocers.

Headlite – Juan Trillias, Bimbo Bakeries USA

Sidelite – Joe Perez, Waste Stream Solutions

Spotlite – Andrea Dimond, Nestle USA

Tailite – Greg Siegel, Idahoan Foods

Advisory Officers – Paul Kamholz, Schoeller Allibert; Tracy Lape, Pete & Gerry’s Eggs; Mark Olenjik, Domino Foods, Inc. 

Historian – Jim Van Gorkum, NuCal Foods 

Many thanks to The Illuminators for their continued, generous support of the CGA Strategic Conference and for providing the outstanding meal functions and enhancing the conference social events.

Join us and help “Spread the Lite of Good Fellowship” within the retail food industry. Visit www.Illuminators.org to learn more about becoming an Illuminator member.