Food City Names Gunn Director of Grocery Operations
ABINGDON, Va. - K-VAT Stores Inc., Food City's parent company, has named Richard Gunn director of grocery operations. Gunn, who served as HBC/GM category manager for Food City during the past two and a half years, brings more than 23 years of grocery industry experience to the position.
"We are very anxious to get Richard settled into his new position. The knowledge he has gained as HBC/GM category manager for our company combined with his previous grocery experience should make the transition a smooth one," said Steve Smith, president and CEO for Food City.
Gunn's grocery career began at the age of 14 working part-time for Cas Walker stores in Southwest Virginia. Prior to joining Food City, Gunn served as director of operations for Coeburn, Va.-based Pay Less Supermarkets. Gunn's new responsibilities will include overseeing all grocery operations, merchandising, purchasing, manufacturer and broker relations for the 86 Food City locations.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to take on these new responsibilities with Food City and am looking forward to working with such a professional staff," Gunn said.
Gunn replaces Danny Helton, who served in the position for 11 years. After 49 years of dedicated service, Helton plans to retire in the spring of 2002. Helton, who was originally employed by Quality Foods, joined the Food City team after they acquired Quality Foods in 1985. Helton served as assistant store manager and store manager for Quality Foods' Morristown location and was later promoted to director of operations. Following the Food City acquisition, Helton served as executive vice president of operations until receiving his current assignment of vice president of grocery merchandising.
"Danny has done an outstanding job in each of the positions in which he has served throughout the years," said Steve Smith. "His leadership and experience have been a tremendous asset to our company and its growth. We will certainly miss his presence and wish him the best of luck in all of his pursuits."
"We are very anxious to get Richard settled into his new position. The knowledge he has gained as HBC/GM category manager for our company combined with his previous grocery experience should make the transition a smooth one," said Steve Smith, president and CEO for Food City.
Gunn's grocery career began at the age of 14 working part-time for Cas Walker stores in Southwest Virginia. Prior to joining Food City, Gunn served as director of operations for Coeburn, Va.-based Pay Less Supermarkets. Gunn's new responsibilities will include overseeing all grocery operations, merchandising, purchasing, manufacturer and broker relations for the 86 Food City locations.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to take on these new responsibilities with Food City and am looking forward to working with such a professional staff," Gunn said.
Gunn replaces Danny Helton, who served in the position for 11 years. After 49 years of dedicated service, Helton plans to retire in the spring of 2002. Helton, who was originally employed by Quality Foods, joined the Food City team after they acquired Quality Foods in 1985. Helton served as assistant store manager and store manager for Quality Foods' Morristown location and was later promoted to director of operations. Following the Food City acquisition, Helton served as executive vice president of operations until receiving his current assignment of vice president of grocery merchandising.
"Danny has done an outstanding job in each of the positions in which he has served throughout the years," said Steve Smith. "His leadership and experience have been a tremendous asset to our company and its growth. We will certainly miss his presence and wish him the best of luck in all of his pursuits."