Ahold USA VP Named GMDC Chairman

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The General Merchandise Distributors Council (GMDC) said yesterday it has appointed James Wonderly, v.p. of merchandising for Ahold USA, as its new chairman.

The trade group announced Wonderly’s appoint at annual Trade Press Appreciation luncheon held in New York City. Wonderly succeeds Gary Crawford, dir. of nonfood operations at United Supermarkets, Lubbock Texas. Crawford will continue to serve on the board as immediate past chairman.

During the luncheon, Wonderly talked about changes GMDC plans to implement during the new year: "As the industry continues to change, GMDC will change to make the meetings more productive," he said.

Among these changes is the return of the roundtable concept to the group’s HBC event held each year in the fall. "We would like to provide an opportunity for retailers to discuss important industry issues," Wonderly said. "Our most valuable commodity is time. When we are out of the office at industry events, our time has to be well-spent."

Wonderly is joined by new officers vice chairman Bob Candelora, senior v.p. of nonfoods and pharmacy merchandising for Pathmark Stores, Inc.; treasurer Ken Nemeth, president of Valu Merchandisers Co.; and secretary Bob Berman, executive assistant to the president, USA Drug.

New directors for 2005 include James Coleman, senior sales manager for Sheetz Inc. and Kevin Broe, v.p. non-perishables national merchandising for Supervalu National Merchandising Retail Food Companies.

Gary Briddon, v.p. and general manager, trade relations and business development for Eastman Kodak completes his final year as chairman of the GM advisory board with Patrick Spear, v.p. of sales for Spontex, Inc. serving as chairman-elect. Roland Regnier, v.p., corporate development and international sales for GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, will lead the HBC advisory board one more year with Keith Wypyszynski serving as chairman-elect. Jerry Brown, v.p. industry and business development at Unilever Home and Personal Care will chair the membership advisory board. With Peter Thompson, dir. of trade development for Colgate Polmolive serving as chairman-elect.

The 2005 chairman of the GMDC Educational Foundation is Larry Ishii, general manager, marketing and GM/HBC procurement for Unified Western Grocers – Los Angeles, succeeding Michael Jones, v.p. business development for Del Pharmaceuticals, who will continue to serve as immediate past chairman. Joe Bivona, v.p. customer development for Time Inc. Retail, is the new vice chairman.
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