C&S Wholesale Grocers Appoints Joseph Schena to EVP, CFO

C&S Wholesale Grocers today announced it has appointed Joseph J. Schena as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer effective September 29, 2014. Schena’s appointment adds new capabilities to a leadership team that continues to deliver industry-defining results for its customers, employees and other business partners, say company officials. His responsibilities will include all financial functions of the company, including accounting, treasury, financial planning and analysis, internal controls, quality assurance and inventory control. “I have worked in the food industry for most of my career, and I am thrilled to join such a powerhouse of a company, especially at this dynamic time,” says Schena. “The strong team, compelling C&S vision and strategy, and unique market forces are aligning to create fantastic opportunities for this company and its employees.” Prior to joining C&S, Schena served as the Chief Financial Officer of Bacardi Limited and the President and CEO of Bacardi International Limited, where he was responsible for all financial functions. “Joe is a seasoned executive whose experience and energy will bring an added dimension to our already strong team,” says Mark Verdi, president of C&S. “We know that Joe’s background and personality will enable him to provide exceptional value and leadership across our whole business. We expect that he will be an instrumental leader in all areas of our company’s accelerating growth.” Prior to his positions at Bacardi, Joe was a Partner at Centerview Capital, a private equity firm and he served as Chairman of Richelieu Foods. Joe also worked as the chief accounting officer, corporate controller and vice president of global financial operations at The Gillette Company prior to its merger with Proctor & Gamble, at which time Joe assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer for the Gillette business unit. He also was the Corporate Vice President of Strategy and Planning at Nabisco Holdings Corporation. Joe started his career at Kraft Foods, where he worked in positions of increasing responsibility within the Finance organization.