Norman Mayne, the CEO of Dorothy Lane Market (DLM), grew up immersed in the grocery industry alongside his father, Calvin, who started the business as a fruit stand in 1948. That fruit stand has grown into multiple DLM locations in Dayton, Ohio, as well as a thriving e-commerce extension, and employs approximately 900 people. Through this growth, Norman has held true to the pillars that DLM was founded on, such as “to always do the right thing,” when it comes to both its customers and family of associates. But the path hasn’t always been easy.

DLM is often featured in trade publications, such as Progressive Grocer and Supermarket News, and is one of the “hot” stores in the industry. The success of DLM is also a topic of conversation among the most important people of all—its customers. They see and feel that DLM is always innovating, whether bringing a massive German hearth oven to bake artisan bread in, or turning the store into a sell-out elegant affair for its annual Food & Wine Show.

Beyond the brick and mortar stores, Norman has also built the fast-growing e-commerce extension www.DLMMailOrder.com. In addition, The Killer Brownie® Company in recent years has grown to a multi-million dollar company that stands on its own.

In 2013, Food Marketing Institute (FMI) awarded Norman the achievement for entrepreneurial excellence, the Robert B. Wegman Award. Danny Wegman, the 2012 inaugural recipient of the award, touted, “Norman is a truly unique merchant. He has a special ability to identify concepts and products that will enthrall customers. Furthermore, he has allowed his people to pursue these same ideals. The result: his stores are masterpieces!”

Norman has presented imaginative insights on the food retail industry across Europe, Japan, Australia, and China. He serves on the Board of The Food Marketing Institute and has served on The Coca-Cola Company Chairman’s Council and The Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council. Norman also has lectured at The University of Georgia’s Deer Run Fellows Program and was an ongoing lecturer of the Purdue Supermarket Operators Management Course. He has taught at University of Southern California in conjunction with the Western Association of Food Chains.

His passion for food retailing is second only to his love for his family, as he and his wife Terry have been married for more than 55 years and have six children.