Meet Greg, EVP & General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

As we continue our celebration of Pride Month, we're excited to introduce Greg, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Giant Eagle! Greg also recently became the Executive Sponsor for GE Proud, Giant Eagle's LGBTQ+ business resource group.

Get to know more about Greg here.

What is your job title? And what do you love most about your job?

My job title is Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. That’s a lot of words to fit onto a business card (if they still exist) and some people think being a lawyer sounds boring, but that’s NEVER the case. No two days are ever alike, and my team and I are constantly solving complex problems under tight deadlines. It’s fascinating, fun and fast-paced.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

I’ve had many proud moments in my career, but they seem to have a common theme…it’s always about helping others. For instance, during COVID, Giant Eagle partnered with the Pittsburgh Steelers to host mass COVID-19 vaccination clinics at Heinz Field. I volunteered one afternoon and was taken aback that we were vaccinating thousands of people every day. Everyone who received a vaccination was so grateful and appreciative. I left feeling incredibly proud knowing that I was working for a company that was saving peoples’ lives…something I’m not used to as a lawyer!

What does PRIDE Month mean to you? How do you celebrate PRIDE Month?

I’ve attended many Pride festivals and had a lot of fun at them with family and friends. However, it’s not just about fun. These events are important because they build community and honor the history of the movement. Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ Americans are not fully protected from discrimination and there is harmful legislation pending in many parts of the country, so Pride celebrations are also a way for the community and its allies to shine light on the need for positive change.

How does GE PROUD, Giant Eagle’s LGBTQ+ business resource group, work to improve our workplace?

I recently became the executive sponsor of GE Proud and am very excited to be a part of the group. Affinity groups provide Team Members (and allies) from traditionally underrepresented groups a safe space to come together to support each other and the business. I’ve been involved in affinity groups before. One time while I was leading a meeting, two colleagues felt comfortable enough to “come out” to the group. They described how hard it was hiding their true identity at work and how relieved they were to have finally shared their truth. Another person described to me her journey as a transgender woman and how hard it was navigating her transition at work twenty years ago. These stories demonstrate how important it is to be able to bring your authentic self to work. Not only is it good for the well-being of our colleagues, but it’s also good for the business. When you build an inclusive culture, you’ll have more satisfied Team Members, better retention (less recruiting costs), improved performance, and more free flow of ideas, all of which leads to innovation and better business results.

Name a role model, historical figure, or key figure in the LGBTQ+ community that has been meaningful to you. And why?

My role models are the everyday people that I meet who are brave enough to be themselves. It takes a lot of courage to take that road and we’re all surrounded by people like that every day. Their visibility is what brings progress and understanding.

How did you feel/react when you learned Giant Eagle was named a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for 2021 and again for 2022?

I wasn’t surprised to learn that Giant Eagle was named a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for the last two years. The company is committed to doing the hard work that’s necessary to build an inclusive, equitable and diverse company, including setting specific goals to support this work, and hiring people who embody the company’s Core Values, which include “Respect All”. The result is a culture where employees are uplifted and treated like a valued part of the community regardless of their background.

What is your favorite quote?

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde

What are some interesting hobbies or talents that most people may not know about you?

I’m a car buff, enjoy playing sports, and have the confidence (but not always the skills) to tackle any home improvement project.

Check Out Opportunities to Join Giant Eagle

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Celebrating Pride Month at Giant Eagle

June is Pride month – an opportunity to celebrate and honor the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ)+ community and events that have contributed to progress and acceptance. PRIDE is about self-expression, love and having the opportunity to stand up and be proud of who you are in a world that sometimes tries to prevent that from happening, as well as encouraging those who are not yet ready.

The GE Proud Business Resource Group (BRG) invites all Team Members and our neighbors to “Espresso Yourself” – encouraging you to be your whole self both in your home and work lives. Join us after a two-year hiatus in publicly, proudly, and authentically espresso-ing yourself side by side with your Giant Eagle community at this year's Pride Parades!

We strive every day to make Giant Eagle the most inclusive workplace possible for our LGBTQ+ Team Members. We are proud to be recognized as a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign for a second year in a row. At the same time, we know this might not reflect the experience of every one of our LGBTQ+ Team Members all the time. We must remain focused on the work that still needs to be done so that everyone feels like they belong and has the opportunity to thrive.