Bob Childers, director of meat operations for Arkansas-based GES Inc., parent company of Edwards Food Giant, retired in December after 53 years with the company.
Childers started with GES in July 1966 as a meat cutter at Liberty Supermarket in Forrest City, Arkansas. He was promoted to meat market manager several years later and managed meat markets in six GES stores before being promoted to meat supervisor and then eventually director of meat operations.
Through the years, Childers worked to create many new efficiencies in meat markets and spent a great deal of time mentoring young meat cutters during their training process with the company. One of Childers’ favorite things to do was be out on the sales floor helping customers during one of the company’s annual Truckload Meat Sales.
Now that he has retired, Childers plans to spend more time hunting, fishing and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles.
The Edwards Family owns and operates GES Inc. which has grown to 12 stores over the past few years. Today, the company operates stores under two different banners, which includes seven Edwards Food Giant stores and five Edwards Cash Saver stores, all located in Arkansas. The Edwards Food Giant stores are located in Bryant, East End, Harrisburg, Marianna, and three locations in Little Rock. The Edwards Cash Saver stores are located in Beebe, Forrest City, Jacksonville, Little Rock and North Little Rock.
