Unified Grocers, Inc. Names New VP of Logistics
LOS ANGELES — Unified Grocers, Inc. ("Unified" or the "Company") announced that Vic Versino has joined Unified in the position of Vice President, Logistics. He joins the Company from DVD rental kiosk company Redbox, where he was Vice President of Logistics and Inventory, responsible for streamlining and automating distribution operations. Previously, Versino held logistics leadership positions with Supervalu, Kellogg and Martin Brower/McDonald's.
Versino takes over the position previously held by John Wiedmann, who recently announced his retirement from the Company. Versino will oversee company-wide distribution, transportation and maintenance functions. He will be responsible for developing logistics and distribution strategies to ensure the needs of our members are met.
Versino will report to Unified President and CEO Bob Ling. "Vic is an accomplished executive who brings a wealth of experience in food distribution. Unified is extremely fortunate to have a man of Vic's experience and caliber as a member of our officer team," said Ling. "Logistics is a key part of our business and vital to our growth plans. I'm confident Vic will carry on the tremendous work John Wiedmann and his team have done to help drive sales and reduce expenses."
As Vice President of Supply Chain for Supervalu Eastern Region, Versino managed logistics operations for three large distribution centers and oversaw a workforce of more than 1,500 employees. As Senior Director of DSD Operations for Kellogg, he managed logistics services for 45 distribution centers. In this role, he was responsible for implementing operations and technology improvements across Kellogg's distribution network. He implemented Lean process improvement initiatives and instituted KPI standards.
Versino started his career with Martin-Bower Company. Martin-Bower is a third-party logistics company responsible for managing logistics for McDonald's franchises. He started as a shift manager and worked his way up to President of the Latin America division, where he managed operations for nine distribution centers in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Brazil.
Versino holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Logistics from Penn State University.
Brad Alford Joins the Board of Directors of Unified Grocers, Inc.
LOS ANGELES –Former Chairman and CEO of Nestlé USA Brad Alford has been appointed as an independent, non-shareholder director to the board of directors of Unified Grocers, Inc. ("Unified" or the "Company").
"We appreciate Brad's willingness to serve as a director and look forward to benefitting from his judgment and counsel," said Richard E. Goodspeed, Chairman of the Board of Unified. "He is an internationally renowned leader. His deep expertise in manufacturing and distribution with one of the world's largest consumer packaged goods companies will add a valuable perspective to our Board of Directors and complement the retail experience we gained with the appointment of former Farmer Bros. Co. President and CEO Rocky Laverty in April."
"We are pleased to welcome Brad to the board of directors," said Unified President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Ling. "His appointment reflects our confidence regarding the business prospects for independent retail grocers and our commitment to serving that market. Adding two such distinguished directors in the space of a few months only strengthens the overall capability of our board. We are all looking forward to working with Brad."
"I'm delighted to join the Unified board," said Alford. "The Company is clearly in growth mode and I'm looking forward to working with both the board and management to position Unified for continued success in the years to come."
Nestlé USA is the largest division within Nestlé. During Alford's time as CEO, revenue grew from $7.5 billion in 2006 to $12.7 billion in 2012. Alford's leadership principles included focusing management on "making the complex, simple" and developing a strategic focus on three key elements: people, innovation and execution. These principles led Fortune Magazine to recognize the company as the "Most Admired Food and Beverage Company" for 10 years in a row.
Alford spent his entire career with Nestlé, or companies acquired by Nestlé. He began his career in 1980 as a sales/marketing trainee with the Carnation Company, acquired by Nestlé in 1985. Subsequently, he enjoyed increasingly responsible positions in both U.S. and International Divisions, including Pet Care, Confections, Beverages, Frozen Foods, Ice Cream and Food Services. Throughout his career, he was focused on initiatives to improve processes and facilitate best practices across the organization.
Alford graduated with a BS degree from Miami University and he holds an MBA from Indiana University. He is currently on the Board at Avery Dennison and was an Executive Board Member of the Grocery Manufacturers Association.
About Unified Grocers, Inc.
Founded in 1922, Unified Grocers is a retailer-owned wholesale grocery distributor that supplies independent retailers throughout the western United States. Unified and its subsidiaries, which generated approximately $3.7 billion in sales during fiscal year 2013, offer independent retailers all the resources they need to compete in the supermarket industry.
Source: Unified Grocers, Inc.