Mission Produce has shared a planned leadership transition that will see John Pawlowski succeed Steve Barnard as CEO in the spring. Under the succession plan, Barnard – co-founder of Mission Produce and its CEO since 1988 – will assume the role of executive chairman of the board, effective at the close of the company’s annual […]
Category: Executive News
Grocery industry executive news: appointments, promotions and leadership changes at retailers, wholesalers and suppliers.
Follow every leadership change in Executive Moves.
CGA Names Superior Grocers’ President, CEO Wardwell As Board Chair
The California Grocers Association has named Richard Wardwell, president and CEO at Superior Grocers, as chairman of its board of directors. Wardwell, who succeeds North State Grocery Chief Administrative Officer Michel LeClerc, will lead the board’s strategy for CGA’s legislative, educational and industry-related programs over the next year. Wardwell spearheads Superior Grocers’ business strategy and […]
GrubMarket Appoints DeNeve As Chief Legal Officer
GrubMarket has named Jorge deNeve as its new chief legal officer, adding a legal and governance executive to its leadership team as the company continues to scale its technology and food supply chain platforms. DeNeve brings more than 20 years of experience in corporate governance, regulatory compliance and securities law. His background includes service as […]
Kraft Heinz Names Cahillane CEO
Steve Cahillane has been named CEO of The Kraft Heinz Co., effective Jan. 1., where he also will join the company’s board of directors and serve as CEO of Global Taste Elevation Co. following Kraft’s separation into two companies. To ensure a transition, Carlos Abrams-Rivera will step down Jan. 1 and serve as an advisor […]
Certco President, CEO Becomes First Woman To Lead ROFDA Board
Amy Niemetscheck, president and CEO of Wisconsin-based Certco Inc., was recently named the first chairwomen of the Retailer Owned Food Distributors and Associates Board of Directors (ROFDA). “Taking on the role as the first female as chair of ROFDA at the Fall 2025 Conference was a tremendous honor,” Niemetscheck said. “It is a privilege to […]
Simbe Forms Client Advisory Board With BJ’s, Schnucks, SPAR Executives
Simbe has formed a Client Advisory Board, bringing together leaders from retailers – including BJ’s Wholesale Club, Schnuck Markets, SPAR, Harmons Grocery and Country Supplier – to inform product strategy, foster peer collaboration and guide the future of shelf digitization technology. “The CAB reflects our belief that the best innovation comes from partnership, not only with […]
Coca-Cola Names Braun CEO, Quincey To Become Executive Chairman
The Coca-Cola Co. has elected EVP and Chief Operating Officer Henrique Braun as CEO, effective March 31. Braun will succeed James Quincey, who will transition to executive chairman after serving as CEO for nine years. The board also plans to nominate Braun for election as a director at the company’s 2026 annual meeting of shareowners. Quincey, […]
Walmart SVP Morris To Keynote PLMA Annual Meeting, Leadership Conference
Walmart’s SVP of private brands food, consumables and manufacturing will deliver the keynote address April 15-17 during PLMA’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference. Scott Morris and his team are tasked with positioning Walmart’s private brands, strengthening their value proposition, developing quality core and innovative products and building customer loyalty and holistic cultural support. He […]
NCG Appoints Harvey As CEO, Succeeding Pugh
National Co+op Grocers (NCG), the business services cooperative for 167 retail food co-ops nationwide, has selected Tandy Harvey as its next CEO, effective Jan. 1. She succeeds C.E. Pugh, who will retire at the end of the year. Harvey brings more than 30 years of wholesale and retail food industry experience, including senior leadership roles […]
Wegmans’ Katakwar Joins GS1 U.S. Board Of Governors
GS1 US has elected Smita Katakwar, SVP of technology at Wegmans Food Markets, to its board of governors. Katakwar will help guide the organization’s strategy for cross-industry adoption of GS1 Standards across retail grocery, apparel, general merchandise, foodservice and healthcare sectors. Katakwar brings more than two decades of experience leading technology strategy, digital innovation and […]
NCA Adds Moss, Brandmeier To Scientific-Regulatory Affairs Team
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has added Julie Moss as VP of food safety and scientific affairs and Sarah Brandmeier as director of nutrition policy and scientific affairs. According to the association, their experience across federal agencies and the food industry will help the $54 billion confectionery industry navigate a complex regulatory landscape. “It is […]
Tropicana Brands Group Appoints Chibe As CEO
Tropicana Brands Group has appointed Paul Chibe as CEO, while Glen Walter will remain with the company in an advisory role through the end of the year. “We are excited to welcome Paul as TBG’s new CEO and look forward to working with him to build the company’s next chapter of growth and value creation,” […]
Dollar General Appoints Taylor COO, Elevates Key Leaders
Dollar General Corp. has appointed Emily Taylor as chief operating officer, effective Nov. 16. Taylor previously served as EVP and chief merchandising officer. She joined Tennessee-based Dollar General in 1998 and brings more than 25 years of experience to her new role. As COO, she will oversee store operations, global supply chain, merchandising, marketing and […]
Walmart Taps Furner To Succeed McMillon As President, CEO
Walmart Inc.’s board of directors has elected John Furner to succeed Doug McMillon as president and CEO of Walmart Inc., effective Feb. 1. Furner also was elected to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. McMillon will retire on Jan. 31, but will remain on the board until the next annual shareholders’ meeting to ensure […]
Buehler’s Fresh Foods CFO O’Donnell To Retire
Buehler’s Fresh Foods Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Peter O’Donnell will retire Dec. 31 after eight years of service to the employee-owned grocery chain. A search for his successor is under way. O’Donnell joined Buehler’s in 2017 following a career spanning leadership roles in finance, accounting and operations across the grocery and retail industries. “Peter has […]
Flashfood Names Zhu As VP Of Engineering To Lead Tech, AI Innovations
Flashfood has named Yixin Zhu as VP of engineering to lead the company’s technology and artificial intelligence innovations. With more than a decade of experience building high-performing engineering organizations, Zhu will oversee the future of Flashfood’s data program to build the most impactful shrink and inventory management platform in retail. “Yixin’s leadership background at disruptive […]
Schroeder Retires, Mullin New President At Albertsons’ NorCal Division
Albertsons Companies has announced the retirement of Karl Schroeder, president of its Northern California Division, after 49 years of service. Noting that Schroeder had previously shared his intention to retire, the company said in a statement that it had implemented a succession plan, with Kelly Mullin becoming president of the division. Mullin, who previously served […]
NGA Honors Bedoya With Spirit Of America Award
The National Grocers Association (NGA) recognized Alvaro Bedoya with its Spirit of America Award at the Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. “I’m proud to recognize former Federal Trade Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya with this award to recognize not only someone who has shaped policy that has benefited independent grocers throughout the country […]
Price Receives NGA’s Pinnacle PAC Award
The National Grocers Association (NGA) recognized Autumn Price, UNFI’s VP of government affairs, with its Pinnacle PAC Award during the annual Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. “Autumn has spent considerable time advocating on behalf of independent grocers, the wholesalers who serve them and the entire food retail industry,” said Christopher Jones, […]
Wisconsin Grocers Association Presents Jaskolski With First Lifetime Achievement Award
Bob Jaskolski, a 40-plus year veteran of the grocery industry and president and CEO of T.A. Solberg Inc., has been named the first recipient of the Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor, which Jaskolski accepted at the WGA Innovation Expo on Sept. 30, celebrates a career of excellence, innovation and service, recognizing […]
