New York Beer Distributor Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award by Grocery Manufacturers and Retailers
Grocery Manufacturers and Retailers (GMR) of Western New York honored Eugene “Gene” P. Vukelic, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Try-It Distributing Co., Inc. in Lancaster, New York, with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the Buffalo area. The award was presented at a dinner last month. More than 200 people attended the event, including local leaders, members of the local media and many family members.
GMR of Western New York is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that serves as a liaison between suppliers and retailers. Traditionally, the organization selects a person or retailer to honor each year. Most recently, the decision was made to select one honoree each year who has made a major contribution to the food and beverage industry of Western New York. Vukelic is the first such person to receive the honor.
“Gene is what Buffalo is all about,” said GMR of Western New York President and Try-It Distributing Director Off Premise Sales Craig Dumbleton. “While Gene has been successful, he never forgets his humble beginnings and never forgets the people that helped him get there. He continues to give back to the community day after day and year after year. If it were not for private companies in Buffalo and people like Gene Vukelic giving back like they do, Buffalo could not survive.”
Try-It Distributing Co., Inc. was founded in 1928 by Gene Vukelic’s late father, Stephen L. Vukelic, in Lackawanna, New York. Gene Vukelic completed his education at LeMoyne College and served as an instructor with the U.S. Marine Corps 3rd Marine Division before joining the family business full-time.
Vukelic has built upon the foundation created by his father more than 80 years ago by introducing his five sons to the business and leading the company to national prominence. Today, Try-It serves Western New York clients from a state-of-the-art sales and service center in Lancaster, New York, its corporate headquarters.
Vukelic is well-known for balancing company responsibilities with personal efforts to support civic and charitable causes. He remains at the forefront of Try-It’s commitment to being an involved corporate citizen. Not-for-profit agencies, institutions and charities for children and education are major beneficiaries of Vukelic’s volunteer leadership. Among them are Baker Victory Services, Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Christ the King Seminary, Nardin Academy, Canisius High School and Canisius College. He is also a member of the Bishop’s Lay Advisory Council.
In 2009, the Vukelic Family was chosen to receive the Special Family award by the National Federation for Just Communities. In 2008, Vukelic was awarded the Humanitarian of the Year award by Hope for Tomorrow and, in 2003, he received the Caritas Award from the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation. He has served as president of four local organizations: Mercy Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees, the Buffalo Executives Association, PROBUS and The Buffalo Club.
During the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s (NBWA’s) 72nd Annual Convention last September in Las Vegas, Nevada, Vukelic received the 2009 NBWA Life Service Award. The award is NBWA’s highest honor and is given to beer distributors who have dedicated a lifetime of service to the industry, community and fellow distributors.
