Whole Foods Promotes Lannon, Meyer to EVP of Ops

Whole Foods Market has promoted two of its regional presidents, David Lannon and Ken Meyer, to executive vice presidents of operations.

The company's 12 regional presidents will report to Lannon, who led operations in Northern California, and Meyer, who headed up the grocer’s mid-Atlantic region.

“Ken and David are top-flight, proven leaders who bring fresh operating experience at a time when we are stepping up our growth,” said Walter Robb, Whole Foods co-CEO. “They are young but seasoned, bringing their valuable perspective to the table immediately while contributing well into the future.”

Lannon, 46, brings 25 years of company experience to the position. He previously was regional president of the North Atlantic region, regional VP of the Northeast region, store team leader of the Palo Alto and San Francisco stores, and produce team leader in Mill Valley. Early in his career, he worked for five years at Bread & Circus and continued on after it was acquired by Whole Foods Market in 1992. Lannon will continue to help lead the company’s Healthy Eating and Wellness Club team.

Meyer, 43, has been with Whole Foods for 17 years. He has also served as regional president of the South region, regional VP of the Southwest region and store team leader of the Georgetown store. He began his natural foods career working in labor scheduling and planning with Fresh Fields, which was acquired by Whole Foods Market in 1996. Meyer will continue to be a member of the Whole Kids Foundation board and of Whole Planet Foundation.

“David and Ken exemplify our company’s core values and really drive home our mission every day,” said John Mackey, Whole Foods co-founder and co-CEO.

In these newly created positions, Lannon and Meyer join Mackey, Robb, Glenda Flanagan, A.C. Gallo and Jim Sud, expanding the executive team to seven leaders. They will begin transitioning into their new roles over the next month.

Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market operates 317 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.