Becky Foster could be considered a minority in a male-dominated industry in two ways — one, as a grocery executive, and second, as working on construction projects.
Foster is vice president of construction and maintenance for E&H Family Group, which owns and operates Buehler’s Fresh Foods and Ace Hardware stores. Recently, Foster was named one of the “2013 Top Women in Grocery” by industry publication Progressive Grocer.
The awards program recognizes women in all areas of the retail food industry. Recipients were chosen from all levels of the industry within the retailer and supplier communities in three areas — senior-level executives, rising stars and store managers.
Foster was chosen as a senior-level executive award winner after being nominated for her work in reducing refrigerant emissions and decreasing their impact on the ozone layer by the EPA’s GreenChill Partnership. Buehler’s was honored last fall by GreenChill for “most improved emissions rate” and “superior goal achievement.”
Bob Buehler, vice president of marketing and merchandising for Buehler’s Fresh Foods, said, “Becky is a leader and champion within Buehler’s and E&H Family group in the areas of maintenance and construction. She brings great enthusiasm and passion to all things regarding sustainability within our company; the award for her work with the GreenChill partnership is another example of how she is truly one of Progressive Grocers’ Top Women in Grocery.”
Foster said she knew when she was a child that she’d be entering a male-dominated industry. In high school, she would draw pictures of buildings and wanted to be an architect. She got a summer job as a draftsman and was the only woman in her classes at the University of Akron, where she earned her bachelor’s in construction.
She went to work for Rubbermaid for 23 years, managing large startup construction projects nationwide. By the end of her career with Rubbermaid after it was purchased by Newell, Foster was in charge of shutting down plants.
Foster said she grew up quickly while working in Rubbermaid, often on projects in the South, where being a woman in the construction business was even more of a rarity.
“It made me grow up hard, but made me grow up respecting my position,” she said. “You have to be able to make a decision and make it now. There’s always a guy waiting for you to make a decision or not make a decision or cry. I’m the 50-something person now that’s way past that.”
Foster moved to Buehler’s after someone contacted her to fill a retirement by the head of maintenance. Foster joined Buehler’s 13 years ago.
Foster said the Progressive Grocer honor is extra special since there are many people among the honorees who work for large grocery chains.
“To be recognized for a small grocery chain, that doesn’t happen as much,” she said.
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/blinfisher and see all her stories at www.ohio.com/betty