Dennis Darling, Owner, Foods, Etc., was elected the 2022-2023 California Grocers Association (CGA) Chair of the Board of Directors at the Association’s Annual Meeting on Dec. 1, 2022. 

As Chair, Darling will take on a strategic role to oversee CGA’s many legislative, educational, and industry-related programs. CGA is comprised of more than 350 retail companies, operating more than 6,000 stores in the west. The chair serves for one year. Darling succeeds Renee Amen, Controller, Super A Foods. 

“Dennis has been integral to ushering our community of independent operators into the Association,” said CGA President and CEO Ron Fong. “As an independent store owner himself, Dennis has a personal perspective and deep dedication to our industry, making him well-suited to lead our members through the upcoming year.” 

Darling and his wife, Ruth, have owned and operated Foods Etc. in Clearlake and Susanville, California, for 25 years. Along with chairing the CGA Board, Darling is an active member of CGA’s Independent Operators Committee, which supports independent grocers in areas ranging from compliance to labor and employment. 

In addition to Darling, the following individuals were elected to the 2022-2023 CGA Board of Directors Executive Committee: First Vice Chair, Lynn Melillo, Bristol Farms; Second Vice Chair, Steve Dietz, UNFI; Treasurer, Michel LeClerc, North State Grocery; Secretary, Richard Wardwell, Superior Grocers; and Immediate Past Chair, Renee Amen, Super A Foods. 

Directors elected to their first full three-year team include: Brendan McAbee, Bimbo Bakeries USA; Karl Schroeder, Albertsons Companies; Chris Dehoff, Dehoff’s Key Markets; Donovan Ford, Save Mart Supermarkets; Chang So, Hollister Super; Bertha Luna, Stater Bros. Markets; Adam Salgado, Cardenas Markets; Tim Mahoney, Gelson’s Markets; Brian Pohl, Classic Wines of California; and Tiffany Menyhart, the Kraft Heinz Company. 

Directors elected to their second three-year term include: Sergio Gonzalez, Northgate Markets; Bryan Jankans, Mondelez International, Inc.; Joe Mueller, Kellogg Company; Subriana Pierce, Navigator Sales & Marketing; Jeff Schmiege, Unilever; and Greg Sheldon, Anheuser-Busch InBev. 

Elliott Stone, Mollie Stone’s Markets was appointed Executive Committee-IOC Chair. Former CGA Chair Hee-Sook Alden was elected an honorary board member.