Coborn’s Elevates Trio of Execs to Enhance Fresh Strategy

As part of its commitment to strengthen and enhance its fresh offerings, Coborn’s Inc. has shifted two key leaders to new strategic roles and hired a new produce and floral leader.

Emily Coborn, most recently district manager with oversight of 10 stores across Minnesota, has ascended to VP of fresh merchandising, reporting to Greg Sandeno, EVP of sales. In her new role, Coborn oversees the produce, bakery, deli, meat and seafood departments, as well as the St. Cloud, Minn.-based retailer's growing team of supermarket dietitians.

Earlier in her career, Coborn served as director of Topco program management and communications manager. Prior to joining Coborn’s in April 2011, she worked for several years at Eden Prairie, Minn.-based Supervalu.

Mike Richter, director of meat and seafood, was promoted to senior director of meat, seafood and fresh merchandising. In addition to overseeing the meat and seafood merchandising departments, Richter will also serve as a mentor to other fresh merchandising leaders and will report to Emily Coborn. Prior to joining Coborn’s, he spent 15 years at Fairway Foods in Fargo, N.D., as meat, deli and bakery director.

Tom Williams recently joined Coborn’s as its new director of produce and floral merchandising. A leader with a blend of retail, wholesale and foodservice experience, Williams most recently served as manager of corporate retail produce and floral at SpartanNash Co. Prior to that role, Williams spent 35 years in leadership positions with Supervalu's northern region, Cub Foods, H. Brooks and Co., Upper Lakes Foods and Brookshire Grocery Co.

The employee-owned Coborn's operates 54 stores across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin under the Coborn’s, Cash Wise Foods, Marketplace Foods and Save-A-Lot banners. It also owns CobornsDelivers, an online grocery ordering and home delivery service, as well as stand-alone convenience, liquor, video and pharmacy locations. To support its 120 retail locations, Coborn’s operates its own central bakery, gluten-free bakery, dry cleaning facility and grocery distribution center.