The Fresh Market’s Senior VP Resigns

Randy Kelley, senior vice president, real estate and development of The Fresh Market, is resigning from his post to pursue a new business opportunity. Kelley will remain with the Greensboro, N.C.-based specialty food retailer through early spring.

"Randy has been a valuable member of our team and instrumental in building an outstanding group of real estate and development professionals," said Craig Carlock, president and CEO. "We are proud of the strong real estate strategy and disciplined processes he has instilled at The Fresh Market, which brought record store openings last year and allows us to enter fiscal 2013 with a full pipeline. The company will be well-served by the structure that Randy put in place, and we wish him the best as he starts his new real estate venture."

"My nine years with The Fresh Market have been personally rewarding," said Kelley. "I feel fortunate to have contributed to the strong growth trajectory of the company, while still preserving the values and special culture on which the company was founded. I look forward to my new venture, and will reflect fondly on the great team of professionals with whom I have worked and their dedication to growing and building a leading real estate franchise."

As The Fresh Market searches for Kelley's successor, Rob Koch, the senior director of real estate, will oversee real estate activities, and Steve Showalter, vice president of construction, will oversee development activities.

The specialty grocery retailer operates 130 stores in 25 states, located in the Southeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and West.