Krasdale Promotes Cynthia Ramos, Howie Kent to New Roles

Krasdale Foods, the family-owned distribution, merchandising and marketing arm to independent grocery store owners in greater New York, said it has promoted Cynthia Ramos to chief sales officer and Howie Kent to director of category management and sales analytics.

The promotions follow the appointment of Gus Lebiak as the company’s new president and chief operating offer. Lebiak succeeded Steve Silver at the White Plains, N.Y.-based company effective Jan. 1.

“We are fortunate to work with some of the best professionals in the business,” Lebiak said in a statement. “Cynthia and Howie are exemplary employees who routinely go above and beyond to serve the company and our customers. We look forward to watching them continue to grow and develop in their new positions.”

Ramos joined Krasdale in 2016 as director of sales and was later promoted to VP of sales. She has spent more than 20 years in the food and grocery industry, including stints with Borden Dairy, Vitarroz and Iberia World Foods. She has led teams as large as 150 employees and has developed a diverse skill set that includes brand management, direct owner operations and technology integration, Krasdale said.

“I’m grateful to work at a family-owned company that provides significant growth opportunities,” Ramos said. “I look forward to many more years of success working for Krasdale and building this department.”

Kent joined Krasdale in 2015 as a data analyst and was promoted to sales manager of voluntaries in 2018. In his new role, Kent will be focusing on sales reporting, including category management analysis, insight, sales analysis and in-store execution. Prior to joining Krasdale, Kent spent more than 11 years in various roles with Advantage Sales and Marketing.

“As a company, Krasdale is unique because it provides exposure to key decision-makers and management across departments,” Kent said. “I love working for a company that is so dedicated to its employees and to ensuring their ongoing growth and development.”

Krasdale supplies independent food markets with all the tools they need to succeed, helping to build and sustain multiple generations of successful enterprises. With its base of operations in New York, Krasdale has spread throughout the Northeast and Florida with store banners that include CTown, Bravo, Aim, Market Fresh, Shop Smart Food Markets and Stop 1 Food Mart.