Leadership Overview
Associated Wholesale Grocers has 7 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, information technology, human resources, distribution, legal, and general counsel.
Driven by a commitment to supporting independent grocers, Associated Wholesale Grocers empowers over 3,200 retail locations with comprehensive services, fostering market growth and operational excellence across 28 states.
Driven by a commitment to supporting independent grocers, Associated Wholesale Grocers empowers over 3,200 retail locations with comprehensive services, fostering market growth and operational excellence across 28 states.
Leadership Roles at Associated Wholesale Grocers
Dan Funk - President & Chief Executive Officer
Dan Funk, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Associated Wholesale Grocers, directs the overarching strategy and operational execution for the nation's largest cooperative food wholesaler. This leadership position involves guiding the company's mission to support independently owned supermarkets across 28 states through nine wholesale divisions. Funk oversees the integration of diverse services, including real estate development, marketing solutions, and the distribution of health and beauty care, general merchandise, pharmaceutical, specialty, and natural/organic products. The President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with the company's foundational support for over 3,200 retail locations. By driving strategic initiatives, Dan Funk maintains the company's significant logistics network, encompassing trucking operations and multiple warehouse facilities, to guarantee efficient distribution and sustained growth for member retailers.
Gary Koch - Chief Financial Officer
Gary Koch, the Chief Financial Officer at Associated Wholesale Grocers, manages all financial operations and fiscal strategy for the cooperative. This critical role involves overseeing budgeting, financial planning, accounting, and capital management to ensure the economic health and sustainability of the organization. The Chief Financial Officer provides essential financial insights that support the company's extensive network of nine wholesale divisions and over 3,200 retail locations across 28 states. Koch's responsibilities extend to managing financial relationships with member retailers and suppliers, optimizing financial performance, and ensuring compliance with all financial regulations. By driving fiscal discipline, Gary Koch directly contributes to the company's ability to offer a comprehensive range of services, including real estate development and marketing solutions, while maintaining a robust logistics network.

Shelly Moore - Chief Information Officer
Shelly Moore, the Chief Information Officer at Associated Wholesale Grocers, directs the company's technology strategy and infrastructure. This leadership function encompasses overseeing all aspects of information technology, including system development, data management, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives that support the cooperative's extensive operations. The Chief Information Officer ensures that technology solutions effectively enhance distribution efficiency, support marketing efforts, and streamline services for over 3,200 retail locations across 28 states. Moore's role is vital in maintaining the integrity and security of the company's logistics network and warehouse facilities. By driving technological innovation, Shelly Moore enables Associated Wholesale Grocers to provide advanced support to its member retailers, ensuring seamless operations and competitive advantage in the wholesale grocery sector.

Patrick Reeves - Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Patrick Reeves, the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Associated Wholesale Grocers, leads all human capital management strategies and initiatives. This executive function involves developing and implementing programs for talent acquisition, employee development, compensation and benefits, and fostering a positive organizational culture across the company's extensive operations. The Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that Associated Wholesale Grocers attracts and retains the skilled workforce necessary to support its nine wholesale divisions and over 3,200 retail locations. Reeves's leadership is crucial for aligning HR strategies with the company's mission to provide comprehensive services, including logistics and marketing support, to its member retailers. By focusing on employee engagement and growth, Patrick Reeves strengthens the operational capacity of the company's trucking operations and warehouse facilities.

Stephanie Pilkington - Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel
Stephanie Pilkington, the Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel at Associated Wholesale Grocers, oversees all legal affairs and provides strategic counsel to the organization. This executive function involves managing corporate governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, and litigation for the cooperative. The Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel ensures that all business activities, including real estate development, marketing solutions, and distribution operations, adhere to legal standards and company policies. Pilkington's expertise is critical in navigating the complex legal landscape associated with serving independently owned supermarkets across 28 states. By providing robust legal guidance, Stephanie Pilkington supports the company's mission to offer a comprehensive suite of services and maintain its significant logistics network, safeguarding the interests of Associated Wholesale Grocers and its member retailers.
Stephanie Becker - Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel
Stephanie Becker, the Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel at Associated Wholesale Grocers, manages the company's comprehensive legal framework and compliance initiatives. This leadership role involves advising on corporate law, contracts, and regulatory matters pertinent to the wholesale grocery industry and its extensive network of independent retailers. The Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel ensures adherence to all legal requirements across the cooperative's nine wholesale divisions and supports the distribution of diverse product categories. Becker's responsibilities include mitigating legal risks associated with real estate development, marketing services, and the company's significant logistics network. By providing expert legal direction, Stephanie Becker upholds the integrity of Associated Wholesale Grocers' operations and protects the interests of its member base across 28 states.
Richard Kearns - Executive VP, Distribution & Logistics
Richard Kearns, the Executive VP, Distribution & Logistics at Associated Wholesale Grocers, directs the company's extensive supply chain operations. This pivotal role involves managing the efficiency and effectiveness of the company's trucking operations and multiple warehouse facilities, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of products to over 3,200 retail locations across 28 states. The Executive VP, Distribution & Logistics oversees the strategic planning and execution of all distribution processes, optimizing inventory management and transportation networks. Kearns's leadership is fundamental to the cooperative's ability to provide a comprehensive range of wholesale grocery distribution services. By driving operational excellence in logistics, Richard Kearns ensures that member retailers receive the diverse product categories, including health and beauty care and specialty foods, necessary to meet consumer demand and maintain market competitiveness.
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