The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has appointed Alice Chen, CEO of 99 Ranch Market, and Mike Molinar, president and CEO of PAQ Inc., to its board of directors. Chen has led Asian grocery chain 99 Ranch Market since 2018, following a decade as its CFO. Under her leadership, the company has evolved into a […]
Tag: Western Association of Food Chains
USC Marshall School Of Business Appoints Dimond As Executive Director
The University of Southern California Marshall School of Business Executive Education has named Andrea Dimond, senior director of strategy and development at the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC), as its next executive director of food industry programs. Dimond succeeds Cynthia McCloud, who is retiring after 11 years in the position. USC Marshall credited McCloud’s […]
WAFC Adds King Soopers’ Albi To Board Of Directors
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) elected Chris Albi, president of King Soopers/City division of The Kroger Co., to its board of directors during an Aug. 1 meeting in Irvine, California. With more than 40 years of leadership experience in the grocery industry, Albi brings knowledge, strategic insight and commitment to serving the community. She […]
WAFC Mourns Death Of Former Longtime Leader
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has announced the death of former longtime COO Carole Christianson on Aug. 1 after a battle with leukemia. Christianson retired in 2022 following a 50-year career in the food and beverage industry and more than 15 years at the helm of the WAFC. During her time as COO, […]
WAFC Elects 2025-26 Leadership, Adds To Board Of Directors
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) elected new leadership in May, as well as added new directors to its board. The 2025-26 WAFC officers are: President – Kevin Lovell, SVP of operations at Albertsons/Safeway NorCal; VP – Rebecca Calvin, SVP and CMO for Stater Bros. Markets; Treasurer – Wendy Coldesina, VP, general merchandise manager […]
WAFC Elects Four New Executives To Board Of Directors
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has added four industry executives to its board. “We are excited to welcome these four talented executives to the WAFC board of directors. We look forward to their contributions as we expand WAFC education initiatives for the benefit of our food industry associates,” said Sarah Wehling, WAFC president […]
WAFC Invites Texas Retailers To Its San Antonio Convention In May
by Lorrie Griffith/editor–West The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) is taking its 97th annual convention eastward. The gathering will take place May 5-9 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country in San Antonio, Texas. The WAFC already may be familiar to Texas grocers; the association’s Community College Retail Management Certificate Program “has expanded to […]
