Alfalfa’s Names Varsames Operations VP

BOULDER, Colo. — Natural and organic food retailer Alfalfa’s said Wednesday that John Varsames has been named vice president of operations.

John Varsames

Varsames has 25 years of experience in retail operations, including senior operations roles at Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Markets.

“We are happy to have someone with John’s industry knowledge and operations experience at Alfalfa’s,” Mark Retzloff, president and chief executive officer of Alfalfa’s, said. “As we gear up to open our second location in Louisville, Colo., next year, and lay the groundwork for future new Alfalfa’s stores seeding the Front Range of Colorado, John’s expertise will be a critical part of our growth and success.”

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Varsames’ experience includes extensive work in opening new stores, building and developing empowered teams, and driving successful financial performance. He comes to Alfalfa’s from Whole Foods Market, where he was a member of the Rocky Mountain leadership team for eight years. In that capacity, he served in several key operations roles, including store team leader at a variety of stores, and had a successful track record of optimizing performance of various store formats and sizes. Most recently, Varsames led successful transformations of acquired stores in Boulder and Golden, Colo., and served as a mentor, developing and coaching many of the company’s operations leaders.

Read more: Alfalfa’s Names Lieberman to New VP Post

Prior to joining Whole Foods Market, Varsames created an independently owned natural food store, Blue Sky Market. In his nine years with Wild Oats Markets, he held several management positions, including regional food service director, director of new store development and senior director of new stores and operational procedures.

Prior to his career in the natural foods industry, Varsames worked in food management for Hyatt Hotels and Village Inn Restaurants.

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