Associated Wholesale Grocers Names Division Operations EVP

Associated Wholesale Grocers has named Derek Jones as executive vice president, Division Operations effective July 10. In this role, he will lead all operation functions including divisions, corporate distribution, sales, support, and services and report to Dan Funk, President-Elect.  

Jones has more than 30 years of experience in retail and distribution businesses, most of which were in the food industry. He most recently served as CEO of Super Store Industries, overseeing the company’s distribution and manufacturing business. Prior, he held top executive roles at US Foods CHEF’Store, SpartanNash, Unisource Worldwide, Inc., and Office Depot.  

“We are blessed to have an accomplished leader such as Derek who will take on this critical leadership  role at AWG,” said David Smith, president and CEO of AWG. “He complements our high performing culture, and we believe his reputation for remarkable execution and results as a retailer and supplier have prepared him to be a critical member of the future executive team.”  

Reporting to Jones will be Richard Kearns, executive vice president, Distribution & Logistics; Emile Breaux, senior vice president, chief sales and support officer; and Regional Senior Vice Presidents, Danny Lane, James Vaughan and Troy Marshall.