The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) elected Jake Fermanian of Super King Markets to the board of directors at its Nov. 9 meeting in San Diego, California. Fermanian is the VP of Super King Markets, a family-owned and -operated grocery chain with eight locations in Southern California. Having grown up in the family business […]
Category: Executive News
Grocery industry executive news: appointments, promotions and leadership changes at retailers, wholesalers and suppliers.
Follow every leadership change in Executive Moves.
Posted inExecutive News, Associated Grocers, Inc., Southeast
Associated Grocers Names Politz Interim President, CEO
Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based Associated Grocers Inc. has named David Politz interim president and CEO, succeeding Manard Lagasse Jr., who is leaving the company at year’s end for another opportunity. Politz has a long history with Associated Grocers, beginning in 1985 as a part-time employee while attending college. During his career, he has served in various […]
Posted inBJ's Wholesale Club, Executive News, Northeast
BJ’s Wholesale Club Promotes Schmadeke, Kostka
BJ’s Wholesale Club has promoted Scott Schmadeke to EVP and COO, effective immediately, and named Krystyna Kostka chief supply chain officer. They will fill the roles previously held by Jeff Desroches, BJ’s EVP and COO, who has resigned. Schmadeke, former SVP of field and fresh operations, will have responsibility for all BJ’s clubs, distribution centers, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, National
Executive Perspectives: Kristin Popp
A veteran of the grocery industry for more than a quarter century, Kristin Popp previously served as Wisconsin-based Woodman’s Food Markets’ HR director before becoming EVP. In addition to those duties, Popp serves as president of Women Grocers of America, which operates under the NGA Foundation. Popp shared her thoughts on leadership, management and getting […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Southeast
Houchens Food Group Announces Death Of Former Longtime Leader
Houchens Food Group has announced the death of former President and COO James “Jimmy” Kent Nichols, on Nov. 5, 2024, 11 days after being diagnosed with glioblastoma. Nichols was born on July 10, 1959, in Clifton, Texas, and graduated from Crockett High School in Austin in 1977, according to his obituary. He got his start […]
Posted inExecutive News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Southeast
Wayne-Sanderson Farms Shares CEO Succession Plan
Oakwood, Georgia-based Wayne-Sanderson Farms has announced that COO Kevin McDaniel will succeed President and CEO Clint Rivers, who is retiring at the end of the company’s fiscal year on March 31. McDaniel, who will assume his new role April 1, served the company as senior director of fresh operations and as VP and general manager of the […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Albertsons, Executive News, Northeast, Wakefern
Wakefern Food Corp. Names Sapp As VP Of Pharmacy, Wellness
Wakefern Food Corp. has appointed Aaron Sapp as VP of pharmacy and wellness, reporting to Chief Sales Officer Darren Caudill. Sapp, who brings nearly 20 years of retail pharmacy leadership experience to his new role, will provide guidance to Wakefern members that operate ShopRite Pharmacies in the ever-evolving pharmacy landscape. Sapp most recently served as VP […]
Posted inExecutive News, Midwest, SpartanNash, The Kroger Co.
SpartanNash Brings Barry Aboard As SVP, Chief Retail Officer
SpartanNash has named Djouma Barry SVP and chief retail officer, overseeing retail strategy and operations across its growing footprint. Barry succeeds EVP of Corporate Retail Thomas Swanson, who is transitioning into a consulting arrangement at the end of year. Barry most recently served as VP of retail operations at Kroger. He spent most of his […]
Posted inNatural Grocers, Executive News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Appoints Hallé As CFO
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc. has appointed Richard Hallé as chief financial officer, effective Jan. 1. Hallé has served as a member of Natural Grocers’ board of directors and audit committee since 2012, and will succeed Todd Dissinger, who will retire on Dec 31. “I am thrilled to welcome Rich to the Natural Grocers executive team as […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Northeast, Wakefern
Wakefern Taps Brindle For Advisory Role To Di Bruno Bros.
Wakefern Food Corp. has appointed industry veteran Rick Brindle to an advisory role, supporting the expansion and distribution of its Di Bruno Bros. portfolio of products. “We are thrilled to have Rick support the Wakefern team,” said President Mike Stigers. “His extensive background in CPG and online grocery retailing will be invaluable as we expand […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Executive News, West
Grocery Outlet CEO Steps Down, Lindberg Tapped As Interim
Former CEO Eric Lindberg will return to lead Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. as interim president and CEO after RJ Sheedy stepped down and resigned from the board of directors. The announcement was made Oct. 30. Lindberg is chairman of the board, which has engaged a global executive search firm to begin the process of identifying […]
Posted inExecutive News, Albertsons, The Kroger Co., West
Albertsons Cos. Shares Board Of Director Changes
Albertsons Cos. and its board of directors elected Jim Donald as the sole independent chair of the board, effective Oct. 24. The board also appointed Stephen Feinberg for the term expiring at the company’s 2025 annual meeting of stockholders. Cerberus Capital Management L.P. designated Feinberg to the board in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement dated […]
Posted inExecutive News, Fareway, Midwest
Fareway Promotes Several Executives To New Roles
Fareway Stores Inc. and CEO Reynolds W. Cramer have shared several recent personnel moves. The promotions, which took effective immediately, include: Tom Laven to SVP of retail operations. He has been with the company since 1982. Theresa McLaughlin to SVP of human resources. She has served Fareway since 2011. Bryan Greiner to VP of the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Southeast
Son Of Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market Founder Named President
T.J. Leonard has been named president of Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market, a farm fresh food store in the Richmond, Virginia, area. The son of store founder Tom Leonard and a grandson of retailer Stew Leonard Sr., he will oversee day-to-day operations of the store, as well as planning and finance. “T.J. might have been born […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Executive News, Midwest
AWG Adds Cosentino To Board Of Directors
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) has appointed John Cosentino to fill an open position on its board of directors. Cosentino is an owner and VP of Cosentino Group, serving alongside his brothers and cousins, all of whom learned the trade from their fathers, Dante and Jerry, who founded the company in 1948. He has been […]
Posted inHy-Vee, Executive News, Midwest
Hy-Vee President Tweeten To Retire In Early 2025
Hy-Vee President Donna Tweeten, the first woman in the Iowa-based grocery chain’s history to serve in that role, has announced her retirement, effective Jan. 24. Tweeten, who became president in late 2022, has guided Hy-Vee’s brand and image strategy and helped double its size during her tenure with the company. Under her leadership, Hy-Vee also […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Southwest
Via Tournament, Brookshire Brothers Charitable Foundation Supports Nonprofits
The Shelby Report’s Jan Meade attended the recent Brookshire Brothers Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament in Bryan, Texas, where she caught up with John Alston, president and CEO, to learn more about the company, its foundation and the efforts of both. What a great turnout at your annual Brookshire Brothers golf charity event. Tell me more […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Executive News, Southeast
Publix SVP Bornmann Retiring, 2 Officers Promoted
Publix Super Markets SVP of Product Business Development Dave Bornmann will retire after 41 years of service. With his retirement, Publix has promoted two officers, effective Jan. 1. “We are grateful for Dave’s more than four decades of dedicated service to Publix, our associates and the communities we serve,” said CEO Kevin Murphy. “He’s been […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National
Executive Perspectives: Dan Funk
President and CEO of Associated Wholesale Grocers since 2023, Dan Funk joined the Kansas City-based cooperative wholesaler in 2012 and worked his way up the executive leadership team. Funk has worked at every level of the grocery industry over the course of his lifelong career, from store level to management, at retail and wholesale. Funk […]
Posted inExecutive News, Albertsons, Northeast, Wakefern
Wakefern Food Corp. Taps Van Buskirk As Group VP Of Fresh
Keasby, New Jersey-based Wakefern Food Corp. has appointed Mark Van Buskirk as group VP of fresh. “We are excited to welcome Mark to our leadership team at Wakefern,” said Darren Caudill, chief sales officer. “High quality fresh offerings have always been at the heart of the customer supermarket experience – and we know Mark’s expertise […]