Deliv eyeing bigger presence in grocery?

Former Ahold USA Chief Operating Officer James McCann has joined the board of directors at Deliv and become an investor in the last-mile delivery company.

Menlo Park, Calif.-based Deliv didn’t provide details on McCann’s investment in announcing his addition to the board on Monday. He currently serves as CEO of McCann Investments & Advisory LLC, whose investments include startups in the grocery and food technology and consumer goods sectors.

In the grocery retail arena, McCann most recently served as COO of Ahold USA, departing the company and its executive management board in the fall of 2016 following the completion of its merger with Delhaize America. He previously held the role of chief commercial officer in the Netherlands for Ahold.

Prior to joining Ahold, McCann (left) led the $42 billion French business of global retailer Carrefour and oversaw the Hungary retail business of U.K.-based grocer Tesco.

“Anyone who has ever talked to James instantly recognizes his value,” Daphne Carmeli, founder and CEO of Deliv, said in a statement. “James encourages, educates and inspires. With his unique background in business leadership and tech, James is focused on game-changing technological advancements and will no doubt fuel and accelerate our growth trajectory.”

Related:Ahold Delhaize USA partners with Deliv

Deliv provides crowdsourced, last-mile logistics for same-day delivery services to more than 4,000 merchants and businesses in 35 markets and 1,400 cities, including food retailers and restaurants.

According to Deliv’s website, U.S. grocery-related retail partners include Ahold Delhaize USA’s Peapod e-commerce arm, Blue Apron, FreshDirect’s FoodKick, Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Albertsons Cos.’ Plated meal-kit unit, Plum Market, Walgreens, Sam’s Club and Walmart (earlier this year, Walmart said it was ending its partnership with Deliv).

“I am delighted to be investing in and joining Deliv’s board of directors at such an exciting time for the company, the larger industry and society as a whole,” McCann stated. “Daphne and her team have done an outstanding job of building a unique delivery technology platform that is essential for the future of retail.”

McCann’s website said his larger investments, including where he sits on the board or works with the founders, include Fetch Rewards (grocery rewards), Takeoff Technologies (online grocery fulfillment/automation), FlashFood (food waste reduction app for grocery retailers), Jyve (talent marketplace for grocery and other retailers), PayByCar (in-vehicle payment for drive-up service), Datassembly (grocery and retail pricing data) and Bowery Farming (indoor-farmed produce).

Related:Walmart, Deliv end grocery delivery partnership