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Former Dollar General Chairman and CEO Cal Turner Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Retail Merchandiser Magazine
September 16, 2003
GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Last night, Retail Merchandiser Magazine presented former Dollar General Chairman and CEO Cal Turner with the Lifetime Achievement Award at International Mass Retail Association's annual convention in Orlando, Florida, in recognition of his contributions to the company founded by his father and grandfather in 1939.
"The dollar store channel has received a lot of positive attention in the business press lately. But quietly and with a lot less fanfare than many other company CEOs, Cal Turner spent 25 years building Dollar General into one of the fastest-growing chains in retail history," said Don Longo, publisher and editorial director of Retail Merchandiser, who presented the award. "This Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes Mr. Turner as a true pioneer of the extreme-value, dollar store sector."
Turner joined Dollar General in 1965 as vice president. During his tenure as Dollar General's CEO, from 1977 to 2002, the company grew from 671 company- owned stores with more than 2,700 employees to 6,113 stores and more than 53,000 employees. Total sales during that period grew from $129.6 million to $6.1 billion.
"Dollar General's success speaks well as to what can happen in retailing when you partner with employees and where you have a lifelong commitment to your customers, trying to give them a better life," said Turner in accepting the award. "It's been an incredible experience, and it's all about family. I urge other retailers to consider this strategy for your best performance, because retailing is really about real-world ministry."
In November 2002, Turner stepped down as CEO, and in April 2003, David Perdue was named to that position. He retired from the company's board of directors on June 2, 2003, and Perdue assumed the role of chairman at that time. Turner currently serves as an employee advisor to the board and the CEO.
"This award is an acknowledgment of Cal's service, dedication and work to continue the legacy left by his father and grandfather," said David Perdue, Dollar General chairman and CEO. "It is wonderful to see him accept this high honor."
Turner received a bachelor's degree, cum laude, from Vanderbilt University in 1962, followed by more than three years of service as a Naval officer. He succeeded his father as president and CEO in 1977, and as chairman in 1988. Turner currently serves on the Boards of Trust at Vanderbilt University, Fisk University, and Kentucky-based Lindsey Wilson College, where he formerly served as chairman.
This award is an addition to numerous acknowledgements Turner has received over the years. In 2000, he received the Johnny Cash Americanism Award from the Nashville chapter of the Anti-Defamation League. In 1998, Turner was named the third 'Vanderbilt Distinguished Alumni Award' recipient, as well as DSN Retailing Today (formerly Discount Store News) 'Discounter of the Year.' In 1997, he received the 'Alexis de Tocqueville Society Volunteer of the Year Award' from the United Way of Middle Tennessee.
In 1994, Turner was awarded Financial World's CEO of the Year bronze medallion and was also honored as 'Nashvillian of the Year' by the Easter Seal Society of Middle Tennessee. Turner received the 'Silver Hope Chest Award' in 1992, an honor presented annually by the Middle Tennessee chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In 1991, the Sales and Marketing Executives of Nashville recognized Turner with the 'Summit Award' for his excellence in management and in 1999, with the 'National Salesperson of the Year' award.
Dollar General is a Fortune 500® discount retailer with 6,514 neighborhood stores in 27 states as of August 29, 2003. The Company is headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, with distribution centers in Scottsville, Kentucky; Ardmore, Oklahoma; South Boston, Virginia; Indianola, Mississippi; Fulton, Missouri; Alachua, Florida; and Zanesville, Ohio. Dollar General's Web site can be reached at www.dollargeneral.com.
SOURCE Dollar General Corporation
CONTACT: media, Andrea Ewin Turner of Dollar General Corporation,
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