PCC Community Markets Names Its 6th CEO

PCC Community Markets has hired Suzanne “Suzy” Monford to lead the co-op as president and CEO, effective Dec. 16. Former group VP of e-commerce for The Kroger Co., Monford fills a vacancy left by Cate Hardy, who left the Seattle-based co-op in July to become CEO of The Wine Group.

Suzanne Monford

Monford will be the sixth CEO in PCC’s history and the second woman to hold the role.

“I’m thrilled to join the PCC team as we continue to partner with our members, shoppers and communities throughout the Pacific Northwest,” Monford said in a release. “Since 1953, PCC has championed local producers, quality and sustainability—the values I most cherish. As we look to the future, we will continue to draw on what makes us special, like our dedication to cooking from scratch daily in our stores, and to anticipate our shoppers’ needs, especially now, through innovation in our stores and our growing online business.”

Monford has more than 30 years of experience in the grocery and restaurant industries, including three years at Kroger, where she helped create and lead go-to-market strategies for Kroger’s e-commerce partnership with Ocado into new markets across the U.S. and led fresh food as the retailer introduced its “Fresh for Everyone” master brand. A passionate health and fitness advocate, Monford also volunteered time as executive sponsor and program creator of Kroger Health’s Wellness Your Way Festivals and served as a key volunteer with Kroger’s Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation.

Monford was also president of Bellevue, Wash.-based Quality Food Centers from 2017 to 2019 and CEO of Andronico’s Community Markets in the San Francisco Bay Area from 2015 to 2017. She began her supermarket career working for a decade in leadership roles for H-E-B Central Market and H-E-B Grocery, San Antonio.

“Suzy brings to PCC a wealth of experience in natural foods, high-service retail and executive leadership,” said Catherine Walker, chair of the PCC board of trustees. “Equally important, she has committed her personal and professional lives to health and wellness with a community focus. Her knowledge of the grocery industry, her alignment with PCC’s mission and values, and her commitment to community make her an ideal choice for the CEO role.”

A committee composed of members of the PCC board of trustees and PCC leadership, with support from consultancy firm Korn Ferry, was tasked with leading the search for a new CEO. PCC board member Brad Brown stepped in as interim CEO on May 29, according to The Seattle Times.