The Fresh Market Names Dan Portnoy Chief Merchant

Greensboro, N.C.-based The Fresh Market has appointed Dan Portnoy as chief merchandising officer, reuniting a key leader with President and CEO Larry Appel.

Portnoy brings more than 35 years of experience in food retail merchandising and marketing, having been president and CEO of Kings Food Markets/Balducci's Markets, as well as chief merchandising and marketing officer of Winn-Dixie Stores. He has also held prior leadership positions at Cott Corp., a leading beverage company, and Daymon Worldwide, a private brand development company.

Portnoy's stint with Winn-Dixie came as Appel was CEO of that company. Other senior leaders at The Fresh Market, including Chief Marketing Officer Mary Kellmanson, are also Winn-Dixie veterans under Appel.

Dan Portnoy

“I believe Dan to be one of the brightest and most creative merchants in the industry,” Appel said in a statement. “He possesses both a strong understanding of our specialty brand, and the business acumen to deliver results.”

Portnoy is filling a role most recently held by Rich Durante.

The Fresh Market's merchandising directors and group VP of merchandise operations, Lance Twitty, will report to Portnoy.

Portnoy received his MBA in marketing and consumer research from Baruch College, in New York and his Bachelor of Science in finance and statistics from Babson College in Wellesley, Mass. A Boston native, Portnoy will be relocating to Greensboro from Jacksonville, Fla.