Cardenas Markets parent company names new president

Specialty ethnic food retailer Heritage Grocers Group has promoted Eric Stover to president of Heritage Grocers Group and Prabash Coswatte to chief operating officer, both reporting to CEO Doug Sanders.

“The promotions of Eric and Prabash further aligns and unifies the organizational structure of Heritage Grocers Group,” Sanders said. “They are exceptional leaders whose extensive experience and expertise will be instrumental in executing our growth strategy, as well as deepening the HGG connection to communities and serving the local customer.”

Stover recently held the position of CEO for Cardenas Markets. In his new role as president, he will have direct oversight of category management, supply chain, pricing, schematics, marketing, loyalty program efforts, e-commerce, and B2B/wholesale business for all Heritage Grocers Group banners. Stover is an alumnus of the University of Texas at Arlington where he studied Business Administration and Psychology, and he also serves on the board of directors for the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC), the Cardenas Markets Foundation, and sits on the Food Industry Round Table for Olive Crest.

Prior to joining the Cardenas Markets business in 2020 as chief merchandising officer, Stover held leadership roles in merchandising and operations for several food retailers including Wild Oats, Henry’s Farmers Market, and Sprouts Farmers Market.  He also held senior roles with wholesale and distribution companies United Natural Foods (UNFI) and KeHE Distributors.

Coswatte recently served as chief administrative officer for Heritage Grocers Group. In his new position as chief operating officer, Coswatte will oversee store operations, information technology, continuous improvement, data integrity, loss prevention, internal audits, construction, and facilities maintenance. He attended West Virginia University and holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and also serves on the board of directors for the Cardenas Markets Foundation. 

Coswatte joined the Cardenas Markets banner as chief information officer in 2019.  Prior to joining Cardenas Markets, he served as chief information officer for Vallarta Supermarkets, vice president - Enterprise Program Management for 99 Cents Only Stores, senior project manager for Cambridge Associates LLC, and senior consultant for Deloitte Consulting.