Ace distributes Ray A. Griffith awards

Ace Hardware Corporation announced the winners of its second annual Ray A. Griffith Retail Leadership Awards.

Ron Williams and Scott Schlapkohl are the two 2014 winners: Williams owns four Ace Hardware stores in the Houston area, and Schlapkohl manages Steamboat Springs Ace Hardware in Colorado.

A number of factors went into determining criteria, but Williams and Schlapkohl stood out for their exemplification of Ace's 20/20 Vision long-term growth strategy, their spirit of collaboration, and philanthropic/community values.

“The two recipients of the second annual Ray A. Griffith Award both personify the outstanding leadership traits of former Ace Hardware president and CEO Ray Griffith, and truly exemplify the core values of our organization,” said Jim Ackroyd, chairman of the Board, Ace Hardware Corporation. “Ron is an unparalleled leader with the ability to drive continuous improvement, and inspire his teams, and Scott has an innate ability to innovate, all the while exceeding his customers’ expectations and finding teachable moments for his teams."

Williams received the award during a celebration held at one of his stores earlier this month. Schlapkohl has retired since his nomination, wrapping up a 10-year career at Ace and more than 30 years in the hardware industry.

Named after Ace’s former CEO Ray A. Griffith, the award has been given out annually since his retirement in 2013 to Ace retailers that most personify Griffith’s outstanding leadership traits and exemplify Ace’s core values.