Last updated on May 19th, 2021
The Western Association of Food Chains elected its 2021-22 officers and board of directors on May 1.
Officers are: President and Chairman Greg McNiff, president of Stater Bros. Markets in San Bernardino, California; VP Scott Drew, COO of Smart & Final Stores in Commerce, California; Treasurer Pat Posey, VP of non-perishable procurement and merchandising at Bristol Farms in Carson, California; and Secretary Paul Gianetto, SVP of sales and merchandising for Raley’s in West Sacramento, California. Advisory chair is Sarah Wehling, SVP of fresh foods for Costco Wholesale in Issaquah, Washington.
Advisory members are: Mike Stigers, Cub Foods/UNFI; Kevin Curry, Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions; Bryan Kaltenbach, Food4Less/Foods Co.; and Donna Tyndall, Gelson’s.
Directors are: Chris Albi, QFC; John Alston, Brookshire Brothers; Edward Basha III, Bashas’ Inc.; Robert Branton, Ralphs Grocery Co.; Jack Breeding, Food4Less/Foods Co.; Doug Campbell, Albertsons/Safeway – Seattle; Wendy Coldesina, Costco Wholesale; Chris Cowgill, Albertsons/Safeway – Denver; Joe Falvey, UNFI; Steve Fujimoto, Albertsons/Safeway – Portland; Miguel Garcia, Kroger-Dallas; Dennis Gibson, Fred Meyer; Education Chairman: Mike Hendry, Northgate Gonzalez Market; Kevin Lovell, Albertsons/Safeway – NorCal; Sam Masterson, Good Food Holdings; Rob McDougall, Gelson’s; Phil Miller, C&S Wholesale Grocers; Dan Murphy, UNFI; Tyler Myers, Myers Group; Tom Nelson, Albertsons/Safeway – Southern; Matt Reeve, Smart & Final; Dan Sanders, Sprouts Farmers Market; Megan Snyder, WinCo Foods; Mimi Song, Superior Grocers; Keith Thomas, Stater Bros. Markets; Ryan Voorhees, Albertsons Corporate; Jim Wallace, Sprouts Farmers Market; Richard Wardwell, Superior Grocers; Roger White, Associated Food Stores; Rick Williams Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions; and Eric Winn, C&S Wholesale Grocers.
Established in 1921, with grants in excess of $34.5 million, the WAFC is focused on providing educational opportunities for food industry associates. The Food Industry Management Program at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business has been available to qualified industry participants for 63 years. In 2000, the WAFC expanded its scope by working with community colleges throughout the Western United States to establish the “Retail Management Certificate Program.” This program curriculum is currently available at 160 college/satellite locations and online nationally with more than 3,500 graduates.
To learn more about the WAFC, go to wafc.com.
