When Save Mart Supermarkets honored its leading employees last week, Turlock resident Deborah Bookil stole the spotlight as Store Manager of the Year.

Bookil was given the Nicholas J. Tocco award, which was created in honor of the late co-founder of Save Mart Supermarkets. As the recipient, Bookil exhibited excellence in store performance, customer service, and community involvement. An employee of Save Mart for 25 years, Bookil has been the store manager of the FoodMaxx in Modesto for the past five years.

“The only way you can run a successful store is to have a great team,” said Bookil. “When I moved to this store five years ago building the right team was my focus—and it’s my focus today. Our goal is to provide a great shopping experience for our community, every time they come to our store.”

Save Mart Supermarkets is headquartered in Modesto and operates 217 Save Mart, FoodMaxx, S-Mart, Lucky, and Maxx Value Foods stores in Northern California and Nevada. Bookil was formerly recognized for her contributions for her work in the Turlock FoodMaxx store.

 “I’m thrilled to honor Debbie Bookil as 2015’s Store Manager of the Year. The customer experience in our Modesto FoodMaxx is a model for the company. Debbie’s leadership is evidenced in the quality of her team and in the satisfaction of our shoppers,” said Steve Junqueiro, Co-President and Chief Operating Officer.