Associated Wholesale Grocers Names New VPs

Associated Wholesale Grocers has named Steve Arnold SVP, division manager, effective Dec. 7.

Arnold currently is EVP of merchandising and will transfer to the Oklahoma City Division, reporting to Jeff Pederson, EVP division operations. Throughout his career at AWG, which began in 1995 as a Price Chopper sales manager, Arnold has played a key role in growing private label sales to more than $1 billion, the company said.

The wholesaler has also promoted Dan Funk from SVP grocery to EVP merchandising and marketing. In his new position, Funk will report to David Smith, president and CEO-elect. Funk joined AWG in 2012 as president of Valu Merchandisers Co.

Danny Lane will move into Funk’s vacated position as SVP grocery. Lane has served as SVP division manager of the Oklahoma City Division since 2013. He joined AWG in 1982.

Kansas City, Kan.-based AWG currently serves more than 600 member-owners with more than 3,400 retail outlets in 31 states.