Dive Brief:
- Associated Wholesale Grocers announced Friday that it has appointed Joe Kelley as chief operating officer, effective May 4.
- Kelley, who served most recently as senior vice president of retail divisions for Kroger, will oversee merchandising, procurement, distribution, sales, marketing and division support center operations for AWG.
- Kelley’s appointment follows several moves by AWG aimed at improving the company’s ability to serve customers.
Dive Insight:
The portfolio AWG has carved out for Kelley reflects the company’s effort to make progress toward a strategic plan it designed to boost growth and productivity while also serving members better, AWG said in a press release. Last month, AWG announced a $110 million investment to modernize its Gulf Coast distribution facility as part of that initiative.
Kelley brings to AWG extensive experience overseeing grocery store operations for several supermarket companies.
Kelley is moving to AWG after working at Kroger since 2019. He became Kroger’s senior vice president of retail divisions in April 2025 after serving as president of its King Soopers & City Markets division. Earlier, he was president of Kroger’s Texas unit.
Before joining Kroger, Kelley was a vice president at Albertsons’ Shaw’s and Star Market chains, according to this LinkedIn profile. He has also held roles as president of Ahold Delhaize-owned supermarket chain Stop & Shop and CEO of Midwestern grocer Marsh Supermarkets in addition to working in senior leadership positions for Price Chopper Supermarkets and wholesale food distributor Bozzuto’s.
“Joe brings a rare combination of deep operational expertise, strategic vision, and a true understanding of our members’ needs now and in the future,” Dan Funk, president and CEO of AWG, said in a statement. “His leadership experience with successful regional and national chains will be invaluable as we continue building momentum for our members and advancing our long-term strategic plan.”
AWG serves about 1,100 member companies and 3,500 locations in 33 states. The company recorded consolidated net sales of $12.2 billion in 2025.
