Associated Wholesale Grocers said Thursday David Smith has been named to succeed Jerry Garland as president and CEO of the member-owned cooperative, effective in January.
SN reported in late April Smith was a likely candidate to succeed Garland.
David Smith
David Smith
Smith, who is EVP of division operations, joined Kansas City, Kan.-based AWG in 2003 as director of real estate.
He was named director of member services for the company’s Nashville division in 2007; VP of merchandising and marketing for the Memphis division in 2009; and SVP and manager of the company’s Gulf Coast division in 2012.
Late in 2014 he was placed on special assignment to the COO, and in January he was named EVP of division operations, with responsibility for operations, distribution, corporate services and IT.

Prior to joining AWG Smith served in various positions with wholesalers Malone & Hyde and later Fleming.
Jerry Garland
Jerry Garland
Garland has been president and CEO of AWG since 2009. The company said he will continue to serve in an advisory capacity after Smith takes over.

According to Barry Queen, AWG chairman, “We are fortunate to have someone as experienced in family-owned businesses as David, with an experienced leadership team in place to support his efforts. The 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 has been with AWG for 25 years. During his tenure as CEO, AWG said sales have grown 31% — to more than $8 billion, according to industry estimates — and net income has risen 70% while operating expenses have been lowered.