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SpartanNash taps C&S Wholesale’s David Petko as supply chain chief

CEO Tony Sarsam says distribution and logistics veteran brings ‘transformational leadership’

Russell Redman

April 13, 2021

2 Min Read
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Previously senior VP of supply chain at C&S Wholesale Grocers, David Petko will now oversee all aspects of SpartanNash’s supply chain management.SpartanNash

David Petko has joined SpartanNash as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer, coming over from rival grocery distributor C&S Wholesale Grocers.

SpartanNash said Tuesday that Petko started in his new post yesterday and reports to President and CEO Tony Sarsam. In the role, he will oversee all aspects of the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based distributor and retailer’s supply chain management, including warehousing, forecasting, planning, sourcing, procurement, inventory control, transportation, logistics, engineering, budgets and business plans.

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As part of the SpartanNash’s executive leadership team, Petko (left) also is tasked with developing and executing strategic plans to bolster relationships with suppliers, driving efficiency and cost savings across the supply chain and distribution operations, and expanding SpartanNash’s national distribution network.

“David is a results-oriented executive with the energy and passion for challenge and a commitment to enhancing profitability while maintaining a laser focus on customer expectations and building the capabilities of the team,” Sarsam said in a statement. “This is in direct alignment with our people-first culture and strategic plan. His proven track record of transformational leadership, improved customer and associate satisfaction and driving top-line sales growth and bottom-line cost savings will be an asset to our organization.”

Related:SpartanNash names Jason Monaco executive vice president and CFO

Most recently, Petko had served as senior vice president of supply chain at Keene, N.H.-based C&S since 2019. SpartaNash noted that, in the role, he drove operational efficiencies, safety, associate engagement, customer focus and problem-solving throughout the C&S supply chain. His nearly 12 years at C&S also includes appointments as regional vice president of operations from 2014 to 2019, senior director ES3/D2S from 2013 to 2014, director of operations from 2012 to 2013 and general manager of two facilities from 2009 to 2012.

Petko’s more than two dozen years of supply chain, distribution and logistics experience also includes 13 years at courier DHL Express. From 2000 to 2006, he held several leadership roles with DHL, developing new, state-of-the art hubs, achieving process improvements for cost-per-unit transportation and labor, and helping to expand the customer base.

With $9.35 billion in net sales last year, SpartanNash operates grocery wholesale, military commissary distribution and retail grocery business units, serving customer locations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Djibouti. Its retail network encompasses 154 corporate-owned supermarkets under such banners as Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery and Dan’s Supermarket.

Related:Douglas Hacker to succeed Dennis Eidson as SpartanNash chairman

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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