AWG Promotes Steve Arnold to EVP of Marketing

Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) has promoted Steve Arnold, SVP of grocery products, to EVP of marketing, effective Oct. 5.

Having joined AWG in 1995 as a Price Chopper sales manager, Arnold has held a variety of management positions throughout his tenure, including director of grocery merchandising, as well as VP of merchandising and later SVP and division manager for the Oklahoma division.

Dan Funk, president of Valu Merchandisers Company (VMC), has been promoted to SVP of grocery products, replacing Arnold.

Coming to AWG from Supervalu in 2012, Funk has worked to improve general merchandise, seasonal and specialty foods, and has restructured personnel and staffing in an effort to optimize incremental sales opportunities.

Dave Sutton, who joined AWG last year as VP of sales for VMC, will take over for Funk as president. Before AWG, Sutton worked for Hallmark.

Associated Wholesale Grocers, based in Kansas City, Kan., has more than 600 member-owners and services more than 3,000 retail outlets in 31 states.