Ceres, Calif.– Save Mart Store Manager Donna Lambert was honored with the 2019 Nicholas J. Tocco
Outstanding Store Manager of the Year Award last weekend at The Save Mart Companies’ Annual Management
Appreciation Gala. Donna manages the Ceres Save Mart store located on Whitmore Ave. The Outstanding
Manager of the Year award was created in honor of the late Nicholas J. Tocco, co-founder of The Save Mart
Companies and celebrates customer service, community involvement and store performance.
“I am beyond thrilled and honored to be chosen as the 2019 Outstanding Store Manager of the Year,” expressed
Donna Lambert, Ceres Save Mart Store Manager. “A store manager is only as strong as their employees. I owe
this award to my amazing team members, who I also consider to be my family.”
Donna started her career with the company in 1980 as a part-time courtesy clerk at Lucky while attending
college in the Bay Area. In the following 40 years, Donna climbed the ranks within the company. Donna takes
pride in her store team and how they are able to work together in a professional, yet caring way to accomplish
their goals. Donna is always ready with a smile and kind words, celebrating the best in people and takes great
pride in making her store a great place to work.
In addition to leading the store team, Donna is deeply involved with the Ceres community. Donna has served on
the Board of Directors for the Ceres Chamber of Commerce where she has helped coordinate the
Installation/Awards Dinner, participated in the Ceres Street Faire, assisted in organizing the annual Agribusiness
Luncheon and Wine Stroll, and has helped clean up the on/off ramps in Ceres along Hwy 99.
“I enjoy the hard work but most of all the people I have met. It is very rewarding knowing that I am helping
Ceres build a thriving community,” stated Lambert.
Stephen Woods from the Bakersfield Save Mart store and Tony Angoletta from the Oakdale Save Mart store
were named first and second runners-up respectively. This year’s nominees included- in no particular order:
- Julie Sardia- Roseville Save Mart
- Robert Alton- Riverbank Save Mart
- Deborah Bookil- Modesto FoodMaxx
- Hong Sayasombath- Petaluma Lucky located on Lakeville Hwy
- Debra Woodcock- Yuba City FoodMaxx
- John Bettencourt- Livermore Lucky located on Portola Ave
- Noe Elizondo- Visalia FoodMaxx