AWG Names Garland CEO; Phillips Retires

ELLIOT ZWIEBACH

Jerry Garland

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Associated Wholesale Grocers here was expected to name Jerry Garland as its new president and chief executive officer at its annual meeting yesterday, succeeding longtime company veteran Gary Phillips.

Garland, 58, has been with AWG for 18 years after working 24 years in the Dallas division of Kroger Co., Cincinnati; his title before yesterday¹s promotion was executive vice president, marketing.

Joining him on AWG's executive team will be Mike Rand, 56, in the new post of chief operating officer. Rand, a 29-year AWG employee, has been executive vice president, operations.

Phillips, 62, joined AWG in 1974; he was named executive vice president and AWG's first-ever chief financial officer in 1996 and, four years later, president and CEO. Under his leadership, AWG progressed from a $3.2 billion company serving 850 retail stores across 10 states out of four distribution centers to a company of $6.85 billion serving 1,800 retail stores across 21 states out of eight distribution facilities.

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