A&P Vet Tapped as PLCB Acting Exec Director

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) has unanimously approved the appointment of retail veteran John E. Metzger, who was once EVP of administration for the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., as the acting executive director of the agency, filling a vacancy created when CEO Joe Conti retired in February 2013.

In naming Metzger, the board changed the title from CEO to executive director. In his new role, Metzger, who has been the PLCB’s supply chain director since 2010, will direct the administrative and business operations of the agency and manage the executive team. He will also offer leadership and strategic planning recommendations for agency initiatives, and act as a conduit to the board.

Thanking Metzger for taking on the role while retaining, for the time being, his current duties, PLCB chairman Joseph E. Brion said: “The board will continue to be very actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the agency. However, having an executive director will allow us time to focus on the larger policy issues facing the Liquor Control Board in the months ahead.”

Metzger noted that he would work “to improve efficiencies within the agency and service to consumers.” As director of supply chain, he guided the rollout of a new bailment warehouse inventory system that saved Pennsylvania more than $100 million in inventory costs, among other accomplishments.

Supply Chain Expert

At Montvale, N.J.-based A&P, he restructured the company and streamlined processes to reduce the company’s overhead by more than $70 million in one year, lowered supply and logistics expenses by $40 million and helped the company recover from the impact of Hurricane Katrina. Metzger began his career with Nabisco Foods Group, and then spent time at Darden Restaurants, the operator of Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Bahama Breeze restaurants, and CS Integrated LLC-ProLogis Trust, before joining A&P and later the PLCB. He also was a visiting professor at the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Citing Metzger’s “extensive knowledge of supply chain management,” PLCB board member Robert S. Marcus said, “With his retail business experience and leadership abilities, I have no doubt he will be very successful leading the agency and increasing revenue to benefit the General Fund.”

The PLCB, based in Harrisburg, Pa., regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol and also operates more than 600 Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores statewide, with taxes and store profits returned to Pennsylvania’s General Fund.