Topco Promotes Chris Hooks to Executive Vice President

Topco Associates, LLC has announced thatChris Hooks, Senior Vice President of Center Store, Fresh and Supply Chain, has beenpromoted to the role of Executive Vice President.

“Over the past three years, Chris has driven Topco’s strategic business objectives with his expertise, which extends across product development, category management, replenishment and analytics, and with his extensive experience in grocery, retail, and with fresh and branded meat,” said Randy Skoda, Topco’s President & CEO. “In addition, Chris has taken on the leadership role of partnering with members as a co-chair of Topco’s Operations Team, advancing the strategic priorities of the membership.”

As Executive Vice President, Hookswill expand his responsibilities to include Topco’s Marketing and National Brands teams in addition to Center Store, Fresh Programs and Supply Chain.

“I am confident, that under Chris’s leadership, these additional responsibilities will continue to build stronger communication, collaboration and alignment across our business, advancing our mission to bring additional value to Topco’s membership,” Skoda concluded.

Hooks joined Topco in 2014, bringing more than 20 years of food industry experience, including the role of Vice President, Food Division at Blue Ocean Innovative Solutions. In this role, Hooks advised retailers and suppliers on product development, category management and replenishment, and analytics. In addition, he was involved in a number of private label grocery, frozen and dairy projects.

Hooks professional experience includes management roles with increasing responsibility at SuperValu, Inc., Busch’s Inc., Premium Gold Angus Beef and more than 10 years at H.E. Butt Grocery Company. Hooks holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting and finance from Oklahoma State University.