Food City has announced changes to its executive merchandising and marketing team, including the retirement of a longtime leader and promotions for two others.
Ross Purdy, VP of center store operations, is retiring from full-time service after 10 years with the company. He will transition to a role focused on strategic initiatives.
“We would like to thank Ross for his commitment to our company, our associates and our vendor community,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City president and CEO. “He has been an asset to our company and the communities we serve. We wish him all the best in this exciting new chapter.”
Kevin Stafford, who has served as VP of marketing, has been promoted to VP of center store operations. Stafford brings 30 years of experience to the position, having served in numerous roles across the company including front-end supervisor, helpdesk manager, director of front-end operations and e-commerce and VP of marketing.
“Having begun his career with our company at an early age, Kevin has amassed a tremendous amount of knowledge of total store operations, as well as an exceptional rapport with other department leaders,” Smith said. “He has been extremely instrumental in developing and managing numerous programs and initiatives vital to our success. I’m confident his experience and insight will enable us to continue to advance our center store operations for many years to come.”
Stafford will oversee all center store operations, including private label brand sales, category management, space management, procurement, grocery supervisors and coordination with the company’s consumer packaged goods partners. He is a graduate of Sullivan East High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA from Milligan College.
Stafford serves as board chairman for Speedway Children’s Charities and volunteers with United Way, The Salvation Army and Bristol Chamber of Commerce. He resides in Bristol, Tennessee, with his wife, Kristie, and their two children, Karson and Kameron.
Misty Deskins, director of loyalty marketing, e-commerce and outside sales, has been promoted to senior director of marketing. In her new role, she will oversee all aspects of marketing, including traditional and creative advertising, sports marketing, loyalty marketing, special events, e-commerce and gift card/gift certificate outside sales.
Deskins brings more than 22 years of retail experience to the position, having served in roles including recall coordinator, assistant store operations office manager, senior manager of loyalty marketing and director of loyalty marketing, e-commerce and gift card/gift certificate outside sales.
“Misty’s extensive experience, including our management training program and heading up our loyalty marketing, e-commerce, and outside sales departments, in addition to the other roles she has held within the company have well prepared her to lead this dynamic team as we continue to engage our consumers, our teammates and the communities we serve,” Smith said.
Deskins is a graduate of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in psychology. She holds certifications from Cornell University in retail and brands, executive leadership and omnichannel leadership, as well as a Certified Collaborative Marketer designation through the Promotion Optimization Institute for coursework completed at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. She serves on the board of directors for Feeding Southwest Virginia.
K-VA-T Food Stores, Food City’s parent company, is headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, and operates 164 retail outlets throughout southeastern Kentucky, southwestern Virginia, eastern Tennessee, northern Georgia and Alabama.
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