The Iowa Egg Council has announced Reynolds Cramer, CEO for Fareway Stores, Inc., as the recipient for the Iowa Egg Council Partner Award. “Reynolds leadership in the Iowa retail community, support of Iowa egg farmers and partnership efforts with Iowa Egg Council and the Iowa egg community made him an obvious choice for the award,” said Kevin Stiles, Executive Director Iowa Egg Council.
Reynolds Cramer has a long 32-year history with Fareway, dating back to working in the Boone, Iowa Fareway store at just 16 years old. When he went off to school at Luther College, he worked in the Decorah store and focused on learning the in’s and out’s of the meat department for three years. Cramer explains, “I knew it would be important to understand all the aspects of our business and why our meat departments are second to none.”
In 1997, Reynolds was promoted to manager, opening the SE 22nd Street Fareway store in Des Moines. From 1997 to 2012, Cramer wore many hats from store manager to Executive Vice President in charge of all retail operations. In February 2014, Reynolds was promoted to CEO for Fareway Stores, Inc.
When asked how he felt about receiving the Iowa Egg Council Partner award, Reynolds responded, “I am humbled and honored to receive the Iowa Egg Council Partner Award. We are a proud supporter, and appreciate the efforts of the Iowa Egg Council, the farmers in our great state, and those in agriculture throughout the Midwest. It is thanks to their partnership, that we are able to provide farm-fresh selections to the families we serve.”
In addition to his responsibilities with Fareway, Cramer is active in many charitable organizations, including MDA, Variety-the Children’s Charity and Easter Seals. He is also an advocate for animal rescue, having adopted several animals from various rescue organizations. He is a current member of the Iowa Business Council, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose members are the chief decision makers of major Iowa employers, and the president/CEO of the state’s largest banking association.
A native Iowan and graduate of Boone High School in 1987 and Luther College in 1991, Cramer and his wife Sheila live in Ames as well as his two children, daughter Ashley, 18 and son Zachary, 13.
