Supermarket Vet Becomes Diversity Org President

Eric Watson has taken the helm as the new president and CEO of Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council (CMSDC), a regional nonprofit supplier diversity and economic development organization.

Watson was previously VP of the Office of Diversity & Inclusion for Salisbury, N.C.-based Delhaize America, which includes the Food Lion, Harvey’s and Reid’s, Bottom Dollar Food, Hannaford Brothers and Sweetbay Supermarket banners. He joined Delhaize America in 2003.

“CMSDC’s role as a catalyst for enhancing corporate supplier diversity initiatives and expanding economic development for minority business enterprises is invaluable,” said Watson, who characterized his current role as “moving CMSDC forward by connecting our corporate members with minority enterprises to create an environment that is conducive to the bottom line in business.”

Watson brings more than 30 years of experience in operations management and diversity to his new position. He also currently serves on the boards of directors for The Diversity Forum, the Executive Leadership Council and the University of North Carolina (UNC)-Center for International Understanding, and is lead partner of the UNC-Chapel Hill Diversity & Multicultural Affairs Corporate Advisory Partners Group.

Noted Chiquitha Lloyd, board chair of CMSDC, “[Watson's] vast experience in operations and diverse supplier development will only strengthen our ability to sustain business growth and promote business development in North and South Carolina.”