Leadership Overview
Associated Wholesale Grocers has 7 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, information technology, human resources, legal, and distribution.
Driven by a cooperative model, Associated Wholesale Grocers supports independently owned supermarkets across 28 states, providing comprehensive services beyond wholesale distribution and maintaining a significant logistics network to ensure efficient operations.
Driven by a cooperative model, Associated Wholesale Grocers supports independently owned supermarkets across 28 states, providing comprehensive services beyond wholesale distribution and maintaining a significant logistics network to ensure efficient operations.
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 overall strategic vision and operational execution for the nation's largest cooperative food wholesaler. Funk guides the company's mission to support over 3,200 independently owned retail locations across 28 states, ensuring robust service offerings that extend beyond core grocery distribution. This leadership involves fostering strong relationships with member retailers and driving growth initiatives that enhance their market competitiveness. The President & Chief Executive Officer oversees the integration of diverse product categories, including health and beauty care, general merchandise, and specialty foods, aligning these with the cooperative's expansive logistics network. Dan Funk's executive oversight ensures the company's continued impact on the retail landscape through strategic partnerships and operational excellence. This role is central to maintaining the cooperative's commitment to serving its members effectively and efficiently across its nine wholesale divisions.
Gary Koch - Chief Financial Officer
Gary Koch, the Chief Financial Officer at Associated Wholesale Grocers, manages the financial health and strategic fiscal planning for the cooperative. Koch oversees all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and capital management, ensuring the company's financial stability to support its extensive network of independently owned supermarkets. This role is critical in analyzing the financial implications of expanding services, such as real estate development and marketing solutions, and ensuring profitability across diverse product categories. The Chief Financial Officer works closely with other executive leaders to align financial strategies with the company's overall growth objectives and operational efficiency targets. Gary Koch's financial acumen supports the cooperative's mission by optimizing resource allocation and driving sustainable financial performance across its nine wholesale divisions and 28-state service area. This leadership ensures the financial integrity necessary for continued investment in logistics and member support.

Shelly Moore - Chief Information Officer
Shelly Moore, the Chief Information Officer at Associated Wholesale Grocers, directs the company's technology strategy and digital transformation initiatives. Moore oversees the development and implementation of IT infrastructure that supports the cooperative's extensive operations, including its nine wholesale divisions and trucking network. This leadership role ensures the seamless integration of technology across all business functions, from wholesale distribution to marketing solutions and the management of diverse product categories. The Chief Information Officer is responsible for enhancing data security, optimizing system performance, and leveraging technology to improve efficiency and member services. Shelly Moore's strategic guidance supports Associated Wholesale Grocers' mission by driving innovation and ensuring the technological backbone can scale with the company's reach across 28 states. This focus on information technology is vital for maintaining a competitive edge and supporting over 3,200 retail locations.

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 strategies and organizational development initiatives. Reeves is responsible for cultivating a strong corporate culture, managing talent acquisition and retention, and ensuring comprehensive employee development programs across the company's extensive operations. This role is crucial for supporting the workforce that manages wholesale distribution, logistics, and diverse product category management across nine divisions and 28 states. The Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer collaborates with executive leadership to align HR policies with the company's cooperative mission and business objectives, fostering an environment that supports over 3,200 retail locations. Patrick Reeves' leadership ensures that Associated Wholesale Grocers attracts and retains the skilled personnel necessary to drive operational excellence and member satisfaction. This focus on human resources is fundamental to the company's sustained success and growth.

Stephanie Becker - Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel
Stephanie Becker, the Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel at Associated Wholesale Grocers, provides strategic legal counsel and oversees all legal affairs for the cooperative. Becker manages corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management across the company's broad operational scope, which includes wholesale distribution, logistics, and diverse product offerings. This leadership role ensures that all business activities align with legal frameworks and industry standards, protecting the company's interests and supporting its mission to serve independently owned supermarkets. The Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel works closely with executive management to navigate complex legal challenges and advise on strategic decisions impacting the 28-state service area. Stephanie Becker's expertise is vital for maintaining the integrity of Associated Wholesale Grocers' operations and its relationships with over 3,200 retail locations. This function is critical for ensuring lawful and ethical business practices throughout the organization.
Stephanie Pilkington - Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel
Stephanie Pilkington, the Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel at Associated Wholesale Grocers, provides critical legal guidance and manages the company's comprehensive legal framework. Pilkington oversees corporate compliance, contract negotiation, and risk mitigation strategies, ensuring adherence to all relevant laws and regulations across the cooperative's vast operational footprint. This role is essential for supporting the company's mission of serving independently owned supermarkets by safeguarding its business interests and facilitating smooth transactions. The Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel works in tandem with executive leadership to address legal complexities and advise on strategic initiatives that impact the organization's 28-state reach. Stephanie Pilkington's legal expertise is vital for maintaining the operational integrity and ethical standards of Associated Wholesale Grocers, supporting its extensive network of over 3,200 retail locations. This function ensures robust legal support for all business endeavors.
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 and transportation network. Kearns oversees the efficient management of multiple warehouse facilities and trucking operations, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of goods to over 3,200 retail locations across 28 states. This leadership role is fundamental to the cooperative's ability to provide comprehensive wholesale grocery distribution and manage diverse product categories, including health and beauty care and specialty foods. The Executive VP, Distribution & Logistics collaborates with other executive leaders to optimize inventory management, enhance operational efficiency, and maintain the integrity of the supply chain. Richard Kearns' strategic oversight ensures that Associated Wholesale Grocers' logistics infrastructure effectively supports its member retailers and reinforces its position as the largest cooperative food wholesaler in the United States. This focus on distribution and logistics is critical for operational success.
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