Gelson's Markets Welcomes John Savidan as New Senior Director of Produce and Floral
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - John Savidan is taking on 2019 with a passionate drive and a fresh outlook having recently assumed the position of Gelson’s Markets new Senior Director of Produce and Floral.
Having officially stepped into the new role this past January, John joins me to share his insights and excitement as he continues to make Gelson’s his new home.
“Gelson’s is really a great company that truly lives up to it’s impeccable reputation of phenomenal quality and customer service. I love that Gelson’s is committed to their mission statement and what they were founded upon,” John shares. “The company isn’t trying to be something that they are not or trying to be like any other of its competitors. This type of structure starts at the top with our CEO Rob McDougal and Paul Kneeland, our Executive Director of Fresh.”
When it comes to forward-thinking, the company is very practical and really does a great job with strategic planning, empowerment, and execution. These business attributes make for a very strong detail oriented company, John adds. And he has seen quite a bit during his tenure in the industry.
“If I would say the one thing that has changed more than anything since I first started in this business, it would be how technology has made for such great efficiencies,” he says. “The fresh produce and floral business is just a fantastic business to be in. The relationships that have been made over the years with so many great people is what’s made it a great journey. I have truly been very blessed to be in a position where I can share so many of the things that I have learned over the years and give back to an industry that I love so much.”
John started out as a box boy bagging groceries at Ralphs where he then moved up the ranks to Produce Department Manager. After 15 years at Ralphs, he then moved to Bristol Farms where he held positions of Produce Manager, Produce Merchandiser, Buyer, and Produce Director.
The industry vet is a graduate of the Cerritos College Retail Management Program, Cornell Executive Leadership program and attended USC’s Marshall School of Business. He has a very strong passion for the wellbeing of the fresh produce and floral industry and an overwhelming aspiration for personal growth.
John has been married to his beautiful wife, Ana, for 14 years and resides in Redondo Beach, California.
John, congratulations on the recent move, and we are looking forward to all the great work you will do with Gelson’s Markets!
