UNFI Names Testa President in Management Succession

United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) made a series of management changes associated with the pending retirement of COO Sean Griffin, who will step down from his role on Aug. 1 after eight years, and who will retire on Oct. 1. Griffin will continue to serve as a strategic advisor, according the distributor.

Sean Griffin

As part of the company's succession plan, its board of directors approved the following changes, which will become effective Aug. 1:

Chris Testa, who currently serves as president of UNFI’s Atlantic Region, will assume the role of president. He will oversee the company's broadline natural, organic and specialty distribution business in the United States; Select Nutrition; e-commerce; and enterprise sales and service. In addition, Testa will continue to oversee branding and communications.

Eric Dorne

Eric Dorne will continue to serve as the company's chief administrative officer and chief information officer and will also assume the role of president of strategic business units. In this expanded role, Dorne will assume oversight of Albert's Produce, Woodstock Farms and supplier relationship management, and will continue to oversee operations in Canada, Earth Origins Markets, customer care, risk safety and information technology.

Related:Whole Foods Leads UNFI Q2 Sales Surge

Paul Green

Paul Green, who currently serves as president of the Pacific Region, will assume the role of chief supply chain officer. In this role, Green will focus on driving standardized operational excellence across the company. He will oversee the UNFI’s supply chain function, its newly created warehouse automation group, and transportation and real estate operations.

“Sean's eight years of outstanding service at UNFI have been invaluable; he played a critical role in the development and success of our Company,” President and CEO Steve Spinner said in a statement. “He has been an amazing partner and mentor to many of our current leadership. In addition, he built a strong team that understands our business and can further drive our strategic plan and enable us to manage through operational challenges that come with our impressive growth. UNFI is better positioned for the future because of Sean's contributions.”

Providence, R.I.-based UNFI is a leading distributor of natural and organic groceries.

“When I look back at my career with UNFI, I am most proud of driving the company's mission forward and having the opportunity to work with, and learn from, so many talented people," said Griffin. “It has been a great privilege to serve UNFI and I am now ready to retire with enthusiasm for the company's future. ... I have worked with Chris, Paul and Eric for several years—their unique blend of capabilities, relationships and expertise will continue to be invaluable assets to UNFI.”