Garland Retiring at Associated Wholesale Grocers; David Smith Designated Next CEO

Jerry Garland, president and CEO of Associated Wholesale Grocers, will retire at the end of 2015, the company announced this morning. He will be succeeded by David Smith, AWG’s executive vice president of operations.

Gardland assumed his current duties in 2009, and since then, the company has grown from roughly $7 billion to more than $9 billion in annual revenues, yielding increases of  31 percent in sales and 70 percent in net income, AWG said in a news release announcing the transition.

Smith, who started in that industry as an independent store owner, joined AWG in 2003, and is credited with launching a new division in Louisiana in 2013.

 “AWG is fortunate to have someone as experienced in family-owned businesses as David with an experienced leadership team in place to support his efforts,” said Barry Queen, chairman of the board for AWG. “The AWG board has worked closely with Jerry over the past few years on a succession plan that will provide a smooth transition and continue the momentum that the company and our members have benefited from over his time as CEO.”

Garland will remain as an adviser with AWG until the transition is complete, the news release said, and will continue to serve as chairman of the food marketing institute.

Associated Wholesale Grocers, founded in 1926, is a cooperative that supplies grocery items to more than 3,400 grocery facilities in 26 states.