C&S Wholesale Grocers names SVP, independent sales

KEENE, N.H. — C&S Wholesale Grocers has appointed Christopher Brown as SVP, independent sales, effective Sept. 29, underscoring its commitment to independent customers and reflecting its plans to continue to grow the independent business.



Brown has spent his career in executive leadership roles in the distribution and supply chain industry, servicing independent retailers and regional chains. Most recently he served as an executive consultant working with national distributors and regional retailers. Prior to that, he spent 11 years with Nash Finch Co., serving as EVP, procurement/merchandising and EVP, food distribution, before being named president/COO.



“Christopher is joining C&S at a time when we are putting immense focus on our independent business,” said Rick Cohen, C&S chairman and CEO. “His expertise about the unique requirements of independent retailers will be a perfect complement to the strong service we already provide to our independent, chain, and large grocer customers.”



C&S Wholesale Grocers currently supplies 5,000 independent supermarkets, chain stores, military bases and institutions with more than 150,000 different products.

In a separate announcement, C&S Wholesale Grocers also announced the appointment of Alejandro Rodriguez Bas as EVP, new business and market development, effective Sept. 29.



Rodriguez was most recently CEO of Grupo LALA, the largest dairy company in Latin America, and he previously spent nearly 10 years with PepsiCo in executive leadership positions in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand.