Jim Sinegal, co-founder of Issaquah-based Costco Wholesale, has been honored with the National Retail Federation’s 2014 Gold Medal Award during its annual convention in New York City.

Sinegal served as Costco’s CEO from the company’s founding in 1983 until he stepped down in January 2012. He remains a member of the board of directors.

During Sinegal’s tenure as president and CEO, Costco became the top warehouse-club retailer in the country, with more than 645 stores operating in 42 states, Puerto Rico and nine countries, with annual sales of $103 billion.