IGA APPOINTS NEW VICE PRESIDENT - 6/27/2007
Author: IGA News
CHICAGO, IL - IGA today announced David S. Bennett has been named vice president, procurement and private brands, a new position within IGA. Bennett, who will begin his appointment on July 9, will report directly to IGA USA Chairman and CEO Mark Batenic.
Utilizing his diverse and extensive background in the retail and wholesale grocery industry, Bennett will assume responsibility for the procurement of all IGA Brand products and private brands that will be developed. Additionally, he will control the marketing, development, advertising and sale of all private brands to licensed distribution centers in the U.S.
Bennett began his career in the food industry with Fleming Companies, Inc., in 1985 as a merchandising manager at the Joplin Division. Over the next 16 years he advanced steadily in the Fleming corporation, holding positions ranging from director of grocery, frozen food and dairy operations to Garland Division president, and ultimately vice president, procurement support. Following his tenure with Fleming, Bennett opened his own Irving, Texas-based food marketing company, Bennett, Kresie and Associates, Inc., which served more than 70 independent retail stores in Oklahoma and Texas. Most recently, Bennett held the position of general manager/senior director of business development with Daymon Worldwide, Inc.
“It is our belief that Dave Bennett’s considerable experience will position the IGA private label brands program for a re-birth,” IGA USA Chairman and CEO Mark Batenic said. “Under his direction, we expect that the program will become an increasing source of revenue and pride for our IGA retailers and Licensed Distribution Centers.”
Bennett, who worked in an IGA grocery store while attending college at the University of Kansas, expressed that he is eager to assume his new position with IGA USA. “I have a longstanding relationship with many of IGA’s retailers, meaning I have been able to witness first-hand their dedication and commitment to independent retailing,” Bennett said. “With that in mind, I can say that I firmly believe in their ability to grow both in strength and number. I look forward to being a part of the future of IGA.”
In a related move, Bennett’s appointment is part of a reorganization within IGA USA’s corporate office designed to maximize the effective delivery of services to IGA retailers. The administration, communication, and event coordination departments will now report directly to IGA Vice President, U.S. Chief Growth Officer Doug Fritsch. As previously mentioned, the IGA private brands department, which includes national accounts, packaging and customer service, will report directly to Bennett.
IGA is the world’s largest voluntary supermarket network with aggregate worldwide retail sales of more than $21 billion per year. The Alliance includes more than 4,000 Hometown Proud Supermarkets worldwide, supported by 36 distribution companies and more than 55 major manufacturers, vendors and suppliers encompassing everything from grocery to equipment items. IGA has operations in 44 of the United States and more than 40 countries, commonwealths and territories on all six inhabited continents.
