Wakefern promotes Lane to EVP

Wakfern Food Corp.

Wakefern Food Corp. on Monday said Chris Lane has been promoted to EVP.

Lane, a 13-year Wakefern veteran, will guide day-to-day operations and strategy planning for the cooperative wholesaler.

“Our goal was to select an individual who would honor our past and at the same time challenge the status quo to ensure a bright future for Wakefern and our members. We’re happy to announce that Chris Lane has been appointed to the position,” Joe Sheridan, Wakefern’s president and COO, said in a statement. “Chris is innovative, forward thinking and willing to take the calculated risks required to navigate a challenging competitive environment where emerging technologies and changing consumer preferences require us to be nimble and able to respond with urgency.”

Keasbey, N.J.-based Wakefern comprises 50 member companies that own and operate supermarkets under the ShopRite, The Fresh Grocer, PriceRite and Dearborn Market banners. 

Lane joined Wakefern in 2003 as VP of pharmacy and in 2005 added health and beauty care to his responsibilities. By 2008, he was promoted to VP, grocery, direct store delivery and commercial bakery. In 2011 he was promoted again to SVP, non-perishables, and most recently was named SVP, product divisions where, in addition to his responsibility for Wakefern’s various procurement divisions, he also led health and wellness initiatives.

Prior to joining Wakefern, Lane served as VP of pharmacy at Duane Reade. He received his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of the Sciences, College of Pharmacy in Philadelphia.