Barry Queen Elected Chairman of Associated Wholesale Grocers

Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), Kansas City, Kan., has elected Barry Queen its new chairman, succeeding Bob Hufford, who is retiring. Queen, who operates Price Chopper stores in the Kansas City metro area, will be only the third chairman in 38 years for the wholesaler. AWG also named Don Woods Jr. of Woods Supermarkets in Bolivar, Mo., vice chairman.

AWG, the second-largest cooperative food wholesaler in the United States, reported net sales of nearly $9 billion, up 6.6 percent from last year and an increase of $1.1 billion from two years ago. Same-store sales rose 3 percent compared to the previous year.

Operating income for AWG hit a record $231 million, an increase of 15 percent or up $30 million from last year. Retail members saw an income return of $195 million.

“Our consistent performance is a testament to the co-operative model where everyone has the same opportunity for success, and where transparency in the numbers breeds trust,” said Jerry Garland, president and CEO of AWG.

AWG operates several distribution centers throughout the southern United States, servicing more than 3,000 retail locations in 31 states.