Henry Johnson Jr., the former president of W. Lee Flowers & Co., recently received the J. Frank Grimes Award, the highest honor granted by the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA). IGA Chairman Mark Batenic and IGA CEO John Ross presented the honor, which often is referred to as the Chairman’s Award, to Johnson at the FMI […]
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, West
Grocery Outlet Names Chikkala As EVP, Chief Operations Officer
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. has appointed Ramesh Chikkala to the newly created position of EVP and chief operations officer, effective Jan. 22. This appointment marks a milestone as Grocery Outlet continues to scale its business and add additional supply chain and business technology experience to its organization. In his new role, Chikkala will lead the […]
Posted inBig Y Foods, Executive News, Independent Store News, Northeast
Big Y Appoints Nicole D’Amour Schneider As SVP
As Big Y Foods’ recently appointed SVP of retail operations and customer experience, Nicole D’Amour Schneider has assumed responsibility for the chain’s retail division, namely Big Y Supermarkets, Big Y Express gas and convenience stores and Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors. A third-generation D’Amour family member, she also oversees the Big Y Pharmacy […]
Posted inCoborn's, Executive News, Independent Store News, Midwest
Coborn’s Shares Executive Leadership Promotions
Coborn’s has announced several executive leadership moves that will take effect in February as the Minnesota-based grocer aims to enhance its “strategic focus on continued growth, financial health and overall success.” Emily Coborn Wright, who has a diverse background in various roles, will become SVP of growth initiatives, concentrating in the areas of liquor, pharmacy, […]
Posted inExecutive News, Midwest
Hormel Foods’ VP Of Retail Sales Schwab To Retire
Hormel Foods Corp. has announced the upcoming retirement of Pat Schwab, VP of retail sales – East. In addition, the company has shared that Darren Carter, VP of sales strategy at Hormel Foods, will replace Schwab and become VP of retail sales – East. Carter will oversee the sales functions for all retail customers throughout the eastern […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, National
FMI Names 2024 Executive Leadership Award Recipients
FMI- The Food Industry Association celebrated the 2024 Executive Leadership Award recipients on Friday during its Midwinter Executive Conference on Marco Island, Florida. They include Brookshire Grocery Co.’s Brad Brookshire, KeHe Distributors’ Brandon Barnholt, Associated Wholesale Grocers’ David Smith, Hy-Vee’s Donna Tweeten, Seaside Market’s John Najjar, Nestlé’s Steve Presley and PepsiCo’s Steven Williams. According to FMI, these […]
Posted inExecutive News, Northeast
Wakefern Welcomes Caudill As Chief Sales Officer
Darren Caudill, who joins Wakefern Food Corp. as chief sales officer this week, brings to the cooperative more than four decades of experience working in grocery wholesale and retail. In his new role, Caudill will lead center store, Own Brands and fresh and prepared foods departments, along with digital and innovation, marketing, merchandising and sales […]
Posted inExecutive News, National
Flashfood President, COO Bertram Adds CEO Role
Flashfood has appointed President and Chief Operating Officer Nicholas Bertram as CEO, while founder Josh Domingues shifts into the executive chairman role. In addition, Chief Brand Officer Jordan Schenck takes on the new role of chief customer officer. Bertram joined Flashfood last year, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience in retail. Since his […]
Posted inFestival Foods, Executive News, Independent Store News, Midwest
Festival Foods Welcomes Whitney To Lead Merchandising, Marketing
Skogen’s Festival Foods has named Adam Whitney to its senior leadership team as SVP of merchandising and marketing. Whitney brings leadership experience spanning the grocery, general merchandise, convenience and online channels. He has served in VP roles that encompassed merchandising and category management, financial and strategic planning, private label, store operations, loyalty and rewards, compliance […]
Posted inExecutive News, Dairy News, Southwest
Blue Bell Creameries Names Lawhorn As President
Blue Bell Creameries has named Jimmy Lawhorn as the company’s incoming president, effective immediately. Lawhorn has worked for Blue Bell Creameries for 26 years, most recently as the VP of sales and marketing, where he oversaw the planning and implementation of sales and marketing programs as well advertising and public relations. He also played a key […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Food City, Southeast
Food City EVP Operations Tacker Retires, Successor Named
Following a life-long career in the grocery industry, Ron Tacker, EVP of operations for Food City’s Knoxville division, has announced plans to retire from the company, effective March 1. “Ron has been a valuable asset to our company, the grocery industry, his colleagues and the entire Knoxville community,” said Steven C. Smith, president and CEO. “His […]
Posted inExecutive News, Southeast
Circle The Wagons Appoints Shillinglaw As COO
Circle The Wagons has appointed Brian Shillinglaw as chief operating officer, signaling a move to amplify brand offerings and operational efficiency. A solutions-based company for independent grocers, Circle The Wagons is evolving into a comprehensive organization, addressing all facets of grocery operations. Founded on a group purchasing organization model, it helps independents enhance sales, lower […]
Posted inBig Y Foods, Executive News, Independent Store News, Northeast
Big Y Names Michael D’ Amour Next President, CEO
The Board of Directors of Big Y Foods Inc. has announced several executive changes, beginning Jan. 21. Charles L. D’Amour will step down as president and CEO and become executive chairman of the board as the reins move to Michael P. D’Amour. In addition, the position of EVP and chief operating officer will transition to […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Executive News, Midwest
Funk Assumes AWG President, CEO Role Following Smith’s Retirement
Following the retirement of David Smith in December, Dan Funk has now assumed the role of president and CEO of Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG). Smith joined AWG in 2003 and became president and CEO in 2015. Under his leadership, the company experienced significant growth and success. Smith was instrumental in steering the company through […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National
NGA Shares Several Senior Staff Promotions
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has promoted three key senior staff executives: Jonathan Downey to COO and SVP; Christopher Jones to chief government relations officer and counsel and SVP; and Laura Strange to chief communications and engagement officer and SVP. “NGA is fortunate to have a strong and committed group of senior leaders who bring […]
Posted inExecutive News, Marketing News, Northeast
Tops Promotes Dowdle To Marketing Coordinator
Tops Friendly Markets has promoted Jillian Dowdle to marketing coordinator. In her new role, Dowdle will be responsible for managing in-store digital screens and assisting with collecting and coordinating information between the marketing and merchandising teams to aid in the development of creative briefs. She will also assist with developing, maintaining and ensuring successful implementation of […]
Posted inExecutive News, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AWG’s Vice Chair Woods Jr. To Retire, Successor Named
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. has announced the retirement of Don Woods Jr., vice chair of the AWG Board of Directors. Woods, owner of Woods Super Markets Inc. based in Bolivar, Missouri, served on the AWG board for more than 38 years, serving as vice chair for 24 years. AWG board member Dale Trahan, owner of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Midwest
Save A Lot Names Interim CEO Boehler To Permanent Role
St. Louis-based independently-owned and -operated discount grocery store chain Save A Lot announced that Fred Boehler, who had been serving as its interim CEO since Oct. 31, will move into the role on a permanent basis. A seasoned supply chain executive with more than 30 years of experience across multiple retail and wholesale format businesses, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Northeast
ARS Makes It Official: Fantozzi New President, COO
Allegiance Retail Services (ARS), a supermarket services cooperative based in Iselin, New Jersey, has named Joe Fantozzi as president and COO, effective immediately. Fantozzi was named interim president and COO in September, when John Derderian voluntarily agreed to reduce his responsibilities and transition to a part-time role of principal advisor for retail development and strategic business […]
Posted inExecutive News, West
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. Shares CFO Transition
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. has announced that Charles Bracher will step down as CFO, effective March 1, to pursue another opportunity but will stay on through the expected filing of the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2023. Bracher will work with Lindsay Gray, who serves as SVP of accounting, through his transition. […]