KANSAS CITY, KS - Who is the latest leader to take on a critical new role with Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG)? The retail trailblazer has announced that Derek Jones has been appointed Executive Vice President, Division Operations.

Jones’ new title becomes effective July 10, 2023. In this central role, he will be tasked with leading all operations functions to include divisions, corporate distribution, sales, support, and services. According to a press release, Jones is a distinguished executive with more than 30 years of diversified experience in retail and distribution businesses, most of which were in the food industry.

His most recent role was Chief Executive Officer of Super Store Industries, in which Jones oversaw the company’s distribution and manufacturing business. Prior to that, he held top executive roles at US Foods CHEF’Store, SpartanNash, Unisource Worldwide, and Office Depot.

Jones will report directly to President Elect Dan Funk; reporting to Jones will be Richard Kearns, Executive Vice President, Distribution and Logistics; Emile Breaux, Senior Vice President, Chief Sales and Support Officer; and Regional Senior Vice Presidents Danny Lane, James Vaughan, and Troy Marshall.

“We are blessed to have an accomplished leader such as Derek who will take on this critical leadership role at AWG,” commented President and Chief Executive Officer David Smith. “He complements our high-performing culture, and we believe his reputation for remarkable execution and results as a retailer and supplier have prepared him to be a critical member of the future executive team that will further elevate our performance of AWG’s mission of providing our member retailers with all the tools, products, and services they need to compete favorably in all markets served, all at the lowest possible cost.”

Congratulations to Derek Jones on his new executive title! For more retail updates, stay on the pages of ANUK.

Associated Wholesale Grocers