Greg Ferrara to Take Helm at National Grocers Association

Greg Ferrara has been tapped as Peter Larkin’s successor as president and CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based National Grocers Association (NGA). A nationwide search—led by the firm of Spencer Stuart; Cheryl Sommer, NGA chair of the board of directors and co-chair of the search committee; and Mike Stigers, NGA vice chair of the board and co-chair of the search committee—began last fall when Larkin announced his planned retirement. Ferrara will officially take the helm of NGA on Sept. 1; Larkin will remain on as an adviser until the end of the year.

“As a former independent grocer, Greg’s passion for our industry is second to none and his leadership over the years as NGA’s chief lobbyist, among other roles, has prepared him well to lead this organization into the future. We look forward to working with Greg to support his efforts to build upon the strong foundation that Peter Larkin has laid for NGA,” said Sommer and Stigers.

Ferrara is currently EVP of the association, responsible for overseeing NGA’s advocacy and lobbying efforts, public relations, industry relations, and retail and wholesale membership. In this role, he has acted as NGA’s chief lobbyist responsible for representing the NGA and its members before members of Congress, federal agencies and the executive branch on a wide variety of issues while also overseeing the NGA’s political and grassroots affairs, including the NGA Grocers PAC.

He joined the organization in 2005 after having managed his family’s independent grocery store in New Orleans before it was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Ferrara also worked as a corporate project manager for Associated Grocers Inc. in Baton Rouge, La.  

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead an organization and an industry that I care so passionately about. Independent grocers are the bedrock of thousands of communities across this country and NGA has played an essential role in ensuring that those entrepreneurs have the support they need to grow and be successful. The future is very bright, and I look forward to working closely with our board of directors and members to grow NGA’s influence and resources in support of our membership,” Ferrara said.