Stew Leonard’s has announced a round of executive promotions across its New York and Connecticut stores, including three grandchildren of founder Stew Leonard Sr., as the family-owned grocer advances its next generation of leadership.
“Recognizing the hard work and dedication of our team members is core to our family culture, with over 80 percent of our management team promoted from within,” said Stew Leonard Jr., president and CEO. “I know my father would be thrilled to see his grandchildren stepping into key leadership roles as we continue to grow.”
Third-generation family promotions
Andrew Hollis was named VP of the Danbury store. A grandson of founder Stew Leonard Sr. and a son of Bethy’s Bakery founder Beth Leonard Hollis, Hollis began his career at Stew’s in 2007 as a produce production assistant. He returned to the company in 2020 to launch the Norwalk store’s Instacart curbside pickup service before progressing through store manager, grocery department manager in Yonkers and director of sales positions. Hollis also co-hosts the company’s “LegenDairy” podcast.
Chase Leonard was named director of brand and creative strategy. A granddaughter of the founder, Leonard leads brand, digital and experiential strategy across all retail channels. The company said her visual storytelling and marketing campaigns have supported more than $450 million in sales, produced the store’s top three most viral videos, surpassing 100 million views, and generated more than $1.5 million through custom product lines.
Sarah Hollis Leclerc was named GM of Stew’s Direct. A granddaughter of the founder and daughter of Bethy’s Bakery founder Beth Leonard Hollis, Leclerc oversees the strategy and expansion of the company’s e-commerce gifting division. She joined Stew’s following a career in CPG marketing as a brand manager at Campbell Soup Co., and holds an MBA from Northeastern University. The company said she has driven revenue growth since relaunching the gift business.
Operations and purchasing promotions
Jamie DiStefano was named head meat buyer. A 34-year veteran of Stew Leonard’s who began in the Norwalk store’s Garden Shop in 1992, DiStefano succeeds his longtime mentor, Mike Derivan, who is retiring in early 2027. DiStefano previously served as VP of the Danbury store and will now manage $100 million in annual meat and poultry purchasing across all eight locations.
Joe Vota was named VP of the Newington store. A 38-year veteran of Stew Leonard’s, Vota started as a high school bagger in 1988 at the Norwalk store before rising through leadership roles in store operations, security and sales. He previously served as VP of the East Meadow location and helped open the Farmingdale store before returning to Connecticut to lead the Newington store.
Carl Danielson was named VP of the East Meadow store. Starting as a bakery production assistant in 2003, Danielson rose through department leadership and store management roles, serving on the grand opening teams for both Long Island locations before being named VP of the East Meadow store.
Kerri Lawson was named director of operations and sales in East Meadow. Lawson joined Stew’s in 2016 as a seasonal cashier and advanced through roles as front end supervisor, store manager and fresh food manager for both deli and seafood before taking charge of storewide operations and customer experience in East Meadow.
Ryan Collazo was named food safety coordinator. He first joined Stew’s in 2011, working his way up through the ice cream department to store manager, and returned in 2024. He will help manage food safety, sanitation and compliance operations chainwide.
Founded as a dairy store in 1969, Stew Leonard’s operates eight stores in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey and is based in Norwalk, Connecticut.