SPRINGFIELD, MA - Not one, but two new executive appointments have been made by Big Y Foods. The retailer recently named John P. Fraro as its new Vice President of Fresh Foods, while Steve Nordstrom will step up as Vice President of Center Store. Both report to Michael R. Cormier, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

In his new role, Fraro will be responsible for all aspects of Big Y’s fresh departments, including produce and floral, meat, seafood, bakery, deli, and kitchen. Fraro started his career at Big Y in 2005 as an Assistant Food Service/Kitchen Manager after having held positions in meat, bakery, and deli for two other retailers previously. In 2006, he was appointed sous chef at Big Y’s Fresh Acres Market and later in 2008 as its Meal Solutions Manager. From 2014–2017, he was a Deli Produce Manager and then a Produce Sales Manager until his 2017 appointment as Director of Deli, Bakery, and Kitchen.

In 2017, Fraro was recognized as one of the 40 Under 40 Food Industry Rising Leaders by The Griffin Report of the Northeast. He completed the National Grocers Association Executive Development Program, and last year he received the 2023 Emerging Leader Award from the Massachusetts Food Association, a press release stated.

As VP of Center Store, Nordstrom will be responsible for center store sales, marketing, and merchandising programs for grocery, health and beauty care, general merchandise, frozen, dairy, as well as space management. He joined Big Y in 1996 as an Assistant Grocery Manager.

Nordstrom's grocery career spans 30 years. He holds a BA from Assumption College.

Michael P. D’Amour, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the appointments.

“Our people are and always will be the heart of our company,” said D’Amour. “They foster and grow our culture of caring, continuous learning, and service to each other and our communities. I am excited to have John and Steve join our Vice President leadership team as they will help us to challenge how we think, innovate, and grow. The most important thing we do as a leadership group is to help educate and empower all our employees to have a voice and to be a part of a team that is committed to Big Y remaining a great place to work and shop for generations to come.”

Congratulations to the new leaders!