Washington, DC – The National Grocers Association (NGA), the trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, announced today that grocery industry veteran Mike Ridenour has joined the organization as Chief Collaboration Officer and Senior Vice President to strengthen industry relations and deepen engagement with consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies, service suppliers and other industry partners.
Ridenour brings 40 years of experience building relationships and creating opportunities across the grocery and CPG industries. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, emerging brands and industry partners, giving him a broad perspective on the relationships that support and drive the independent grocery sector.
“Mike deeply understands the connection between CPG companies, specialty and emerging brands, services, wholesalers, and independent grocers to our industry,” said Greg Ferrara, NGA president & CEO. “Throughout his 40-year career, he has built trusted relationships across the grocery ecosystem and has a unique ability to bring organizations together around shared goals. His experience, credibility, and collaborative leadership style will help NGA strengthen industry engagement, create new opportunities for our members and partners, and advance our mission of advancing the $353 billion independent supermarket industry.”
Ridenour most recently served as Vice President of Industry Relations at UNFI. Previously, he held senior industry relations and customer development roles at The Kraft Heinz Company, where he served as Head of Industry Relations & Sales Operations, and at Kraft Foods Group, where he served as Customer Vice President, Industry Development.
“I’ve spent my career working across this industry and have seen firsthand the vital role independent grocers play in their communities and in creating opportunities for brands and industry partners,” Ridenour said. “I’m excited to join NGA and help strengthen the connections and create new opportunities for collaboration and growth across the independent grocery community.”
In his work with NGA, Ridenour will focus on expanding relationships across the broader grocery ecosystem, identifying new opportunities for collaboration and helping connect NGA members with the companies, resources and solutions that support their businesses. With independent grocers representing 38 percent of total supermarket industry sales, the sector offers significant opportunities for CPG companies, service providers and other industry partners looking to expand their reach, build stronger relationships and drive growth across the grocery marketplace.
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About NGA
NGA is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale community grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for about 1.2 percent of the nation’s overall economy and is responsible for generating more than $250 billion in sales, 1.1 million jobs, $39 billion in wages and $36 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers located in every congressional district across the country, as well as state grocers’ associations, manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about NGA, visit www.nationalgrocers.org.
