AWG's Rand to retire

Mike Rand

Associated Wholesale Grocers announced Thursday that COO Mike Rand would retire at the end of the year. Rand served the Kansas City, Kans.-based company in a variety of roles over a 34-year tenure.

“Seeing the Company grow from two divisions and $1 billion in sales in 1980 to seven divisions, 9 DC’s, and almost $9 billion in sales including VMC and Always Fresh in my time here, makes me very proud of the continuous growth pattern AWG has achieved," Rand said in a statement. "There have been many success stories over the years and they will continue to be written as AWG moves forward.”

David Smith

Along with Rand's retirement, AWG announced two promotions. Effective Sept. 7, David Smith, SVP and division manager of the Gulf Coast Division will be placed on special assignment reporting to Rand. Smith spent 17 years with Fleming in positions and joined AWG in 2003 as director of real estate for the Nashville Division and was promoted to director of member services in 2007. In 2009 he was promoted to VP of merchandising for the Memphis Division. When AWG decided to open the Gulf Coast Division, Smith was chosen as SVP and division manager and was instrumental in the successful launch of AWG’s newest division.

CONNECT WITH SN ON TWITTER

Follow @SN_News for updates throughout the day.

Also effective Sept. 7, Bob Durand, VP of merchandising for the Gulf Coast Division, will be promoted to SVP and division manager of the division, succeeding Smith. Durand has held numerous management positions in the grocery industry including time with Mega Market, Fleming, and S&C Foods. He came to AWG as a group sales manager for the Nashville Division in 2008, was promoted to member services director in 2009 and joined the Gulf Coast division in 2012.

Suggested Categories	More from Supermarketnews
Latest News Top 75 Retailers & Wholesalers Top 50 Small Chains & Independents Top 25 Global Retailers Power 50	SN Photo Galleries Videos Industry Voices SN Viewpoints Total Access Event Coverage