Often, the personal connections Lampkin makes are profound. When a long-time employee was headed to a cancer screening after previously expressing concern about the disease, Lampkin accompanied him to the appointment and ensured that he got the best care through the company insurance plan; subsequently, that employee transferred with Lampkin every time he changed stores and won a company customer service award of his own.

Lampkin’s coolness under fire became all too real in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when an armed person entered the building and began shooting. The gunman was quickly tackled by an off-duty law enforcement officer and Lampkin led his team to clean, restock and reopen the store the next morning.

Stores have flourished under Lampkin’s direction. His current location saw a sales growth of 10.5% without fuel and a profit surge of 37.2% last year. In addition, Lampkin’s Hy-Vee was named Store of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2021. Lampkin has been recognized for his performance in many ways. He received the inaugural Hy-Vee President’s Cup earlier this year and has been inducted into the Hy-Vee Hall of Fame twice. He also served on the retailer's board of directors in 2020.

Finally, Lampkin's leadership through engagement is evident in local community initiatives. While leading the store through changes to best meet shopper needs during the health crisis, he donated several meals to local residents in need and raised funds for a nearby children’s hospital and health foundation.

“Brandon knows that leadership is about the strength of the group. He is motivated in being the best at what it takes to win in all aspects of the operation.” --Frank Woodward, senior vice president of Hy-Vee’s west division