The Fresh Market Announces Appointment of Jason Potter as Chief Executive Officer
GREENSBORO, NC - These days are full of industry executives making moves as the retail landscape becomes more competitive and demanding. With that energy top of mind, The Fresh Market's Board of Directors has appointed Jason Potter as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective March 2, 2020, replacing Larry Appel, who has resigned as CEO. The Board of Directors of The Fresh Market thanks Appel for his service as CEO over the last two and a half years and offers him best wishes on his future endeavors.
“I am thrilled to join The Fresh Market and look forward to working with all our team members in creating a highly differentiated specialty food retailing environment for our guests. Our goal will be to make The Fresh Market the go-to destination for customers looking for best-in-class perishables, unique itemization, and high-touch customer service, all provided in a convenient, clean, and accessible store format,” commented Potter on his appointment. “I look forward to being part of the company's future success as we accelerate the overall mission for The Fresh Market. In addition, I look forward to working with the Board of Directors and alongside Apollo, which has a long track record of success in building value in consumer and retail businesses.”
According to the press release, Potter has over 30 years of experience in the grocery industry, having spent 26 years at Sobeys. During his tenure at Sobeys, Potter served as President of Sobeys West, Sobeys Atlantic, and President of Multi-Format Operations before becoming the Executive Vice President of Operations. As Executive Vice President of Operations, Potter had full leadership and P&L responsibility for the approximately 800 Full Service and Community stores under the Sobeys, Safeway, Foodland, and Thrifty banners. He also served as Chairman of the Board for GIFT Atlantic Canada and was a board member of the Coca-Cola Research Council.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am very excited to welcome Jason to the team at The Fresh Market,” said Andrew S. Jhawar, Chairman of the Board at The Fresh Market and Senior Partner and Head of the Consumer Retail Industry Team at Apollo Global Management. “Jason is a proven executive with significant experience and success in the world of grocery retailing and operational turnarounds. He has demonstrated an ability to drive revenue and profit growth through innovation as well as improved operations, merchandising, and marketing, which are skills that make him the ideal candidate to lead The Fresh Market's continued turnaround efforts."
Potter earned his Bachelor of Management and MBA at Athabasca University and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. He was named to Canada's Top 40 Under 40 for Leadership.
Congratulations to Jason Potter on his recent appointment! Stay in the know with ANUK.
