Brodsky & Greenberg

Inducted:2009

Howard Brodsky and Alan Greenberg are cooperative pioneers who dedicated themselves to helping independent business owners and entrepreneurs succeed. As Co-Founders of Carpet One Floor & Home and CCA Global Partners, they used cooperative strategies to empower independent businesses and in so doing created a unique flexible business model that can adapt across industries, markets and countries.

In 1984 they created Carpet Co-op of America to help independent carpet retailers operate in an increasingly competitive marketplace. This unique purchasing and service co-op was based on the revolutionary idea of providing tools for a member’s entire business, including operating systems, training programs, marketing, merchandising and buying. It was incredibly successful.

Brodsky and Greenberg expanded their visionary business model to other industries, and today the multi billion dollar CCA Global Partners includes 16 affiliate companies in the flooring, mortgage banking, lighting, bicycling and non-profit industries. CCA Global Partners is an example of how independent businesses, through their cooperatives, can achieve scale to be competitive with large chains yet retain the entrepreneurial zeal and service of a locally owned business.

C.E. ‘Doc’ Toland

Inducted:1992

C.E. ‘Doc’ Toland devoted most of his business career to serving the independent retailer in Arkansas and made invaluable contributions to the retailer-owned segment of the food industry. Having guided Affiliated Foods Southwest, Inc. from a three person operation to one of the state’s premier companies, Toland established himself as one of the nation’s most respected leaders in the field.

He entered the retail grocery business in 1936 when, at the age of 20, he purchased his own grocery store. He left the business to serve in the Army Air Corps during World War II, but in 1947 returned to work for Model Markets, a small group of independent grocers. In 1957, he became general manager of Associated Grocers, with annual sales of $1,500,000. In 1966, he was named president and by 1990, Associated Grocers (now Affiliated Foods Southwest) realized annual sales of over $560,000,000.

Toland‘s committed belief that by working cooperatively members could remain independent and still grow, made him a great champion of the cooperative form of business.