Festival Foods shared two personnel moves Jan. 30, including the upcoming retirement of Randy Munns, EVP and COO, and the promotion of Adam Whitney to chief merchant.
Munns will retire Feb. 13 after a 40-year career in the grocery industry, including 35 years with the Wisconsin-based chain.
Munns joined Festival in 1991 as a third-shift grocery manager and advanced through store- and support-level roles, including grocery manager, buyer, non-perishables director and SVP of marketing and merchandising.
He played a key leadership role in opening Festival’s Marshfield store in 1993, which has been recognized as the starting point of the company’s growth. He later led the openings of the Green Bay-West and Green Bay-East locations.
Later in his career, Munns guided Festival’s marketing and merchandising strategies, including the creation of its sister company, Hometown Grocers Inc.
As EVP and COO, he has been a force behind Festival’s expansion to 42 stores across Wisconsin. In recognition of his lifetime achievements and impact on the grocery industry, Munns was named the Wisconsin Grocers Association’s 2024 Grocer of the Year.
[RELATED: Festival Foods’ Munns Named 2024 Wisconsin Grocer Of Year]
Championing growth and community
“Randy has been instrumental in the growth and success of Festival Foods,” said Todd Schnuck, Festival Foods’ chairman and CEO. “Over his 25-year tenure with Festival, he has been a champion of our guests, associates and the community in which we do business.”
Whitney previously served as SVP of merchandising and marketing. In his new role, he will continue to oversee those areas, including center store, while assuming responsibility for the fresh foods department.
“Adam is a strategic, people-focused leader whose impact on our merchandising and marketing team has been significant,” Munns said. “His promotion recognizes his ability to lead, innovate and position Festival Foods for continued growth.”
Bringing broad retail experience
Whitney joined Festival’s senior leadership team in 2023, bringing more than 25 years of retail experience across grocery, general merchandise, convenience and online channels.
His background includes VP roles in areas such as merchandising and category management, financial planning, private label development, loyalty and rewards, compliance, pricing and strategic planning.
Founded in 1946 as Skogen’s IGA, the company began operating as Festival Foods in 1990. It has more than 7,500 full- and part-time employees.