Nash Finch Ups Christopher Brown to Wholesale Business Prez
Christopher A. Brown has been promoted to the newly created position of president and COO of Nash Finch’s wholesale division. He will remain an EVP of the Minneapolis-based distributor and continue to report to president and CEO Alec Covington.
In his new role, Brown is responsible for all aspects of the company’s wholesale business, as well as the conventional corporate-owned stores. In a related move, Dan Davidson, most recently VP of transportation and logistics, has been promoted to VP/distribution. Reporting to Brown, Davidson will oversee food distribution warehouse operations and transportation to ensure excellence in customer service and efficiency.
“Christopher’s contributions in developing and implementing unique strategies to attract customers and drive sales, coupled with his extensive industry expertise in food distribution and his commitment to the success of our independent retail customers, make him the perfect executive to lead our wholesale business,” said Covington, adding that Davidson’s promotion “expands our focus on providing our customers with the best possible service.”
Brown rejoined Nash Finch in November 2006 as EVP/food distribution, prior to which time he served as CEO of Twin Cities-based SimonDelivers, Inc. Before that, Brown was Nash Finch’s EVP/merchandising from 1999 to 2003, in which capacity he was responsible for all merchandising, procurement, marketing, category management and advertising. During the eight years prior, he held various management positions of increasing responsibility at the now-defunct Richfood Holdings, Inc., which has been since acquired by Supervalu.
Nash Finch’s core food distribution business serves independent retailers and military commissaries in 36 states, the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Azores and Egypt. The company also owns and operates retail stores under the Econofoods, Family Thrift Center, Avanza, Family Fresh Market and Sun Mart trade names.
In his new role, Brown is responsible for all aspects of the company’s wholesale business, as well as the conventional corporate-owned stores. In a related move, Dan Davidson, most recently VP of transportation and logistics, has been promoted to VP/distribution. Reporting to Brown, Davidson will oversee food distribution warehouse operations and transportation to ensure excellence in customer service and efficiency.
“Christopher’s contributions in developing and implementing unique strategies to attract customers and drive sales, coupled with his extensive industry expertise in food distribution and his commitment to the success of our independent retail customers, make him the perfect executive to lead our wholesale business,” said Covington, adding that Davidson’s promotion “expands our focus on providing our customers with the best possible service.”
Brown rejoined Nash Finch in November 2006 as EVP/food distribution, prior to which time he served as CEO of Twin Cities-based SimonDelivers, Inc. Before that, Brown was Nash Finch’s EVP/merchandising from 1999 to 2003, in which capacity he was responsible for all merchandising, procurement, marketing, category management and advertising. During the eight years prior, he held various management positions of increasing responsibility at the now-defunct Richfood Holdings, Inc., which has been since acquired by Supervalu.
Nash Finch’s core food distribution business serves independent retailers and military commissaries in 36 states, the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Azores and Egypt. The company also owns and operates retail stores under the Econofoods, Family Thrift Center, Avanza, Family Fresh Market and Sun Mart trade names.