Janis H. Grover (C), president of Grover Global Food Marketing, receives District 7510 Rotarian of the Year Award from David Breidinger (R), award chair, and Michael Townley, district secretary (L).
Janis H. Grover, president of Grover Global Food Marketing and past president of the Rotary Club of Lambertville-New Hope, has received the F.S. “Matty” Mathewson Rotarian of the Year Award for 2016-1017. The award recognizes and honors Rotarians in District 7510 who have, over a period of time, best exemplified Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.” The Rotarian of the Year Award is named in honor of a former governor of the Capital District, which serves Central Jersey.
“This award is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a Rotarian by our district. Each year, there are many quality nominations, but Janis stood out an outstanding honoree because of her incredible record of service to Rotary and our international community,” explained David Breidinger, chair of the award committee during the award presentation.
Grover has served in just about every office of her Rotary Club including three terms as president as well as completing terms as sergeant-at-arms, chairperson for all four avenues of service, membership chair, club secretary and chairperson for numerous fundraisers and committees including Polio Plus, greeting cards for the military overseas and the Adopt-A-Highway program. Grover has been a GSE team leader for the visiting team to Brazil, a member of the board of directors and homebuilder for Homes of Hope Ecuador and an organizer and participant in the district trip for Nepal with Past District Governor Tulsi Maharjan.
When presenting the award, Breidinger explained how Grover integrates Rotary ideals in business as the president of Grover Global Food Marketing, an international consulting company that provides marketing and sales support for new product development. He highlighted Grover’s work with the United States Department of State via the U.S. Aid Program (USAID), which helps develop markets and increase vital food security in underdeveloped countries. Through USAID, Grover has assisted various nations including Ecuador, Tunisia and Lebanon. In other professional ventures, Grover has worked with companies in Brazil, Australia, Israel, El Salvador as well as Europe, North and South America to develop and market specialty food products.
“Although Janis consults with many countries, she is most rewarded when she helps those in the poorest environments. She guides and mentors them on how to establish a small business that makes a product to sell. Because of her efforts, they can find their way out of the poverty class,” explained Breidinger. “Janis calculates that each time a small business hires a new employee it has a multiplier effect benefiting at least six people in that community.”
"I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Rotarian of the Year Award for our district,” says Grover, who has traveled to more than 30 countries bringing thousands of specialty food products to the US market. “I became involved with Rotary over 20 years ago to help make a difference in my community. I am very thankful that Rotary has given me the opportunity to help people around the world,” added Grover.
Grover lives in Stockton, NJ, with her husband Gary. She is also a trained and certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and volunteers for the Amwell Valley Rescue Squad. Grover is a guest lecturer at various universities and industry conferences, and a member of the Executive Council of Business Council For Peace, (BPEACE), an award-winning program of volunteers that works closely with the United Nations to mentor small businesses nationally and internationally.
Janis H. Grover is a marketing, new product development and sales professional recognized for successfully transitioning international ethnic products into the US specialty food market. She has special expertise in delivering manageable business plans for retail and food service with branded and private-label products. Janis has organized and executed launch strategies for specialty food products working with brands in over 30 countries. She is a frequent keynote speaker at international and US conferences.
Grover Global Food Marketing (GGFM) is a multifaceted business consulting group focused on developing and launching new brands in the specialty food industry. GGFM’s key service areas include: New Product Development & Brand Management, Organizational Management & Business Building, and Sales & Marketing and Strategic Positioning.
Photo Credit: Ken Schurman, VIP Studios, Inc
