Food Lion LLC Executive Eric Watson Wins Diversity Champion Award

Company Receives Honorable Mention for The Diversity Forum's Trailblazer Honors

SALISBURY, N.C., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Eric Watson, vice president of Talent Acquisition and The Office of Diversity & Inclusion at Food Lion LLC, earned top honors, garnering The Diversity Forum's first-ever Diversity Champion Award at the organization's recent Networking Breakfast at the Marriott SouthPark.

The Diversity Champion Award recognizes an individual who exhibits outstanding community leadership and advances Charlotte's effort to promote employment diversity.

"Eric Watson is undoubtedly one of the strongest leaders representing the voyage of diversity and inclusion in the workplace," said Michelle Fish, founder of The Diversity Forum & CEO of Bankston Partners & Integra Staffing. "The contributions he made to Food Lion LLC, to the abundant national and local partner organizations, and to our society as a whole over the past 16 years are undeniable. A better Diversity Champion Award winner could not have been chosen, and it was our distinct pleasure to award Eric for all of his tremendous work!"

Watson joined Food Lion LLC in 2003, bringing 23 years of experience in operations management, with more than 16 in the field of diversity. Watson has developed strategies to impact business success by creating a vision to manage diversity, designing leadership mentoring programs to promote diversity and establishing an accountability system for business diversity.

In addition to Watson's award, Food Lion LLC received an honorable mention for The Diversity Forum's Trailblazer Award, which is presented to a company that has demonstrated exceptional leadership and success in the recruitment, hiring and retention of a diverse workforce.

Watson accepted the Trailblazer award on behalf of the company.

About Food Lion LLC

Food Lion LLC is a subsidiary of Brussels-based Delhaize Group ( DEG). Food Lion LLC operates more than 1,300 supermarkets, either directly or through affiliated entities, under the names of Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom Dollar Food, Harveys and Reid's. These stores meet local customer needs and preferences for the freshest and best quality products. Food Lion LLC employs approximately 74,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

About The Diversity Forum

The Diversity Forum is a nonprofit organization committed to connecting business leaders, educating the community, and finding tactical solutions on how diversity and inclusion can spur business innovation and create sustainable growth. The organization hosts networking/speaking events, workshops, and webinars on a number of topics. www.TheDiversityForum.com

SOURCE Food Lion LLC