Pattison Food Group restructures senior leadership team, Dan Bregg to retire
Pattison Food Group is shuffling its senior leadership team as it prepares for a “new era of growth.”
Dan Bregg, president of wholesale operations, will retire on June 30 after 40 years in the grocery industry.
READ: Dan Bregg on biggest challenges and opportunities for independent grocers
Bregg got his start in 1986 as an accountant at Buy-Low Foods. He was promoted to president of Buy-Low Foods and Associated Grocers in 2008, and later took on his current role in 2021.
He was recently recognized with the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) Life Member designation.
“Dan is well known for his commitment to building strong relationships and for his unwavering dedication to the company and his team,” Pattison Food Group said in a release. “Dan has built an amazing reputation for himself throughout the industry; he is a mentor to many and his knowledge, experience, insight and strategic mindset will be greatly missed.”
Mike Olson, SVP of merchandising and buying, will take on Bregg’s duties as SVP, supply chain and wholesale.
Jamie Nelson, chief operating officer, is adding EVP of merchandising to his title. Nelson is a 2023 Golden Pencil Award winner.
READ: Jamie Nelson on championing independents
Brenda Kirk, SVP of merchandising and one of Canadian Grocer’s Star Women of 2015, will take on the role of SVP of operations, overseeing all retail food and beverage banners outside of Save-On-Foods, including: Buy-Low Foods, Choices Market, Nesters Market, Meinhardt Fine Foods, Nature’s Fare, Urban Fare, PriceSmart Foods, Quality Foods and Everything Wine.
Key priorities for Kirk will be building out the company’s discount and ethnic banners, as well as ensuring all banners have the appropriate merchandising support to maintain their brand identities.
Paul Cope, SVP of Save-On-Foods operations, adds responsibility for the store development and design area of the business to his role.
Chuck’s and Roth’s Fresh Markets will continue to report to Ben Harrack, who becomes SVP, fresh merchandising, reporting to Nelson.
Sierra Johnston, currently general manager of produce, will take on the role of general manager, drugstore, reporting to Dan Hansen, VP of centre of store. Hansen reports to Nelson.
Justin McGregor, general manager of Save-On-Foods’ restaurant division, is assuming the role of general manager, produce, including oversight of Sun Rich Canada.
General manager of bakery John Paisley will take on additional responsibility for deli and restaurant as general manager, bakery, deli and restaurant.
READ: ‘Save-On-Foods is going to be the big ship:’ Pattison Food Group COO
Darren Bavaro will continue in his role as general manager of meat, adding oversight of the meat plant operations in Chilliwack, B.C. and Edmonton to his duties.
McGregor, Paisley and Bavaro will report to Harrack.
Heidi Ferriman, SVP of people and corporate affairs, assumes the new title of SVP, people, marketing and corporate affairs.
“We are committed to positioning our company for a new era of growth focusing on fresh, value and customer service—both internally with our people and externally with our customers and our valued supplier and business partners,” said Darrell Jones, president of Pattison Food Group, in a release. “We are very grateful to our teams, both in the office and at the stores, who come to work every day and make important contributions to our communities. As we advance with our continued growth plan, we are more prepared than ever to take on opportunities ahead and to look after our 30,000 team members and our millions of customers across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest of Washington and Oregon.”
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