ARLINGTON, VA – Chris Coborn, President and CEO of Coborn's Incorporated and the N.G.A. Chairman of the Board of the National Grocers Association (N.G.A.) today announced the selection of Peter Larkin, former President and CEO of the California Grocers Association as the President and CEO. Larkin will succeed Tom Zaucha who is scheduled to retire on June 30th.
"Peter Larkin possesses the industry knowledge, professional association experience, leadership skills and passion to lead N.G.A. to the next level of excellence," said Chris Coborn. With his strong industry background in government relations, Peter fervently believes in the unique role that independent retailers play in serving the consumer and is passionately committed to our future."
Prior to establishing his own government relations consulting firm in 2008, Peter Larkin was the President and CEO of the California Grocers Association. He served as chief legislative advocate of the Association, chief liaison with related regional and national associations and chief media spokesperson for the organization. Mr. Larkin's other responsibilities included overseeing the association's annual convention, educational programs, publications, member services and human resources. He also served as the President of the CGA Educational Foundation and was an officer of the California Shopping Cart Retrieval Corporation (a for-profit subsidiary of CGA).
Prior to joining the California Grocers Association, Mr. Larkin was Vice President of State Government Relations and Environmental Affairs for the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) in Washington, DC.
Prior to joining FMI, Mr. Larkin managed government and media relations programs for The Kroger Co. He also held similar positions with the Tobacco Institute and Philip Morris U.S.A. After earning a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Vermont in 1976, he served as legislative assistant to U.S. Representative Donald Mitchell (R-NY).
In accepting the position, Peter Larkin responded, "Tom Zaucha is an industry icon and someone I have admired for many years. Tom and the staff have built a powerful and respected brand in the association marketplace and I am honored to be selected to lead it into the future."
Source: National Grocers Association