Davidson Named Buehler’s Fresh Foods New President/CEO

Buehler’s Fresh Foods has promoted Mike Davidson to president and CEO of the Wooster, Ohio-based supermarket chain effective Jan. 2. He will take over from Dan Shanahan, who announced his retirement in early November.

“On behalf of our board of directors and ESOP trustee, we couldn’t be more proud in naming Mike as president/CEO,” Shanahan said. “Mike has been with us for six years as EVP of store operations and more recently as EVP of sales and marketing. He’s had a significant impact on the success of our company and our culture. We are confident that he has the leadership skills to take Buehler’s to the next level.”

Davidson expressed his thanks to Shanahan and the board for their confidence in him.

“Since our management led buyout in 2017, a solid foundation has been established at Buehler’s Fresh Foods and I look forward to building on that,” he said. “Being an ESOP allows all of our employees to think and act like owners. I am honored to be leading the team.”

Previous to joining Buehler’s, Davidson was with Price Chopper supermarkets in Schenectady, New York, as SVP of store operations. Prior to Price Chopper, he worked with Ahold companies Finast and Tops Markets. While at Tops, he was regional VP of operations and VP of operations and merchandising.

Davidson holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting, a master’s degree in business and attended the Cornell University food executive program. He is the chairman of the Ohio Grocers Association, past board member with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, current board member of the Wooster Christian School and is a member of Rotary. He and his wife Joanna reside in Wooster and have three children and 10 grandchildren living throughout the United States.

Buehler’s Fresh Foods was founded in 1929 by E.L. Buehler and his wife, Helen. In 2017, Buehler’s went through a  management buyout and formed an ESOP. Buehler’s operates 14 supermarkets, seven liquor agencies, outside catering, coffee shops and a food truck named Ferris. Buehler’s is Certified by Great Place to Work. For more information visit buehlers.com.