Iowa Grocery Assoc. Names Board Chair

The Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA) has named Tom Watson, executive VP and chief retail officer for Hy-Vee, Inc., as chairman of its board of directors. 

Watson replaces Brian Burnam, owner of Keith's Foods in Bloomfield, Iowa, who has served in the role for the previous nine years.

Having joined IGIA's board in 2009, Watson has held positions including secretary/treasurer, second vice chairman and first vice chairman, as well as served on a variety of the association's committees.

Watson was elected to the Hy-Vee board in 1999 and became a permanent member in 2013. He also has served on the boards of Hy-Vee subsidiaries Perishable Distributors of Iowa, D & D Foods, Florist Distributing and Lomar Distributing.

"In the coming year," Watson noted, "we will strive to increase member value in all areas by looking to our membership first and responding in a spirit of service, and I look forward to seeing all that we will accomplish together in the year ahead."

Founded in 1899, the Iowa Grocery Industry Association represents chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores, mass merchandisers, wholesalers, brokers, manufacturers and distributors.