Anchored in Community

Reynolds W. Cramer ’91 has always loved music. During his time at Luther—whether singing in the choir or playing percussion in the band and orchestra—Cramer built community through his musical endeavors.

Reynolds Cramer ’91

Community remains central to Cramer, both in his business and personal life. Starting in his teens, he followed the beat of his family’s drum, becoming the fourth generation to run Fareway Stores, started by his great-grandparents, Paul and MaryEllen Beckwith, in 1938 with a store in Boone, Iowa. The Midwest grocery chain now boasts over 140 outlets and employs more than 13,000 people. Cramer started working at the Boone Fareway store when he was 16 and held several positions (including in the meat department in the Decorah store while in college) before being elected CEO in 2014.

Cramer is proud of the part the stores play in their often-rural communities and of the family-oriented treatment of employees. He says more than 70 percent of the company’s management started with Fareway when they were teenagers. The company also has a long tradition of supporting charitable organizations and community outreach programs by focusing on a number of areas: togetherness, food security, health and research, youth organization, and service members and first responders. Some of the nonprofits Fareway partners with include Easterseals Iowa, Camp Courageous, Food Bank for the Heartland, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Habitat for Humanity, and Operation Homefront.

Part of Cramer’s role as CEO is talking to officials—including in Washington, D.C.—about everything from the Farm Bill to the price of eggs. It’s not always about the bottom line, he says. “It’s about being in business and doing what we need to for all the people out there, which is to provide healthy, safe, and affordable food,” he says.

With a philosophy of “helping put food in the hands of those who need it most,” Fareway works closely with local Feeding America organizations and additional food-based nonprofits to strengthen food access and help end hunger.

Charitable work is personal for Cramer. When his now-25-year-old daughter, who has serious health issues and autism, was born in 1999, doctors told him she probably wouldn’t survive a year. She’s inspired Cramer to dedicate time and resources to helping others, including children with special needs.

“I’m blessed to have gotten to know many people who are all fighting for the same thing, and that is to help children, young adults, and older adults with any type of disability or special need,” he says. “I participate in camps and activities. It’s not just about giving money. I like to learn what these groups are all about. I like to understand what the families are going through. As someone who’s gone through a few things myself—and at times, there weren’t many groups or people there to help—this is part of my purpose in life.”