Houchens Food Group has appointed Ben LaForest as VP of real estate and store development, one of three leadership appointments the Bowling Green, Kentucky-based company says will strengthen key areas of the organization and position it for continued growth.
LaForest brings more than 25 years of experience leading store development functions for brands in the general merchandise, pet, optical and restaurant sectors, including real estate, design, construction and facilities teams for large international retailers, startups and franchise systems.
In his role at HFG, he will support real estate and store development initiatives throughout the company’s operations.
A Clemson University finance graduate who has spent much of his life in Wisconsin and North Carolina, LaForest now calls Bowling Green home.
Hardware division roles
The company also announced two appointments in its hardware division.
Tracy Worley has been promoted to EVP of retail operations for the division. Worley has spent more than 30 years with Houchens, beginning in the grocery division before transitioning to hardware 12 years ago; during his tenure, HFG Ace Hardware has grown from five grocery/Ace combination stores to 56 locations.
Greg Morris, who joined HFG Ace Hardware a little more than three years ago, will serve as VP of operations for the division, bringing more than 30 years of hardware industry experience.
Houchens Food Group, a 100 percent employee-owned subsidiary of Houchens Industries, operates more than 400 locations in 15 states, spanning grocery stores, convenience stores, hardware markets and quick service restaurants through brands including IGA, Price Less, Crossroads and Food Giant.