LUBBOCK, Texas – The United Family® today announced Darvel Kirby, produce director and longtime team member, will retire effective Saturday, Feb. 28. Joseph Bunting, who has been with The United Family for 22 years, will be promoted from produce business manager to assume the role of produce director.
“It has been an honor to be a part of The United Family,” said Kirby, who has been with the company for more than two decades. “I’m proud of the team we have built over the past several years, which has allowed us to promote from within so we can carry on the operation and positive reputation of The United Family produce department in the future.”
Kirby, who originally joined The United Family as produce supervisor, served as produce director for 12 years, growing the company’s produce department sales by more than 100 percent during his tenure.
“I am extremely lucky to have worked alongside Darvel, especially as our stores transitioned from the pre-book order system and added our in-house fresh cut produce program,” said Bunting. “This is an exciting opportunity for me, and my goal is to continue the department’s tradition of excellence using the knowledge Darvel passed along to me.”
Bunting, who has begun to transition into his new role, most recently worked with Kirby as produce business manager. In 1992, Bunting joined The United Family as a sacker at the United Supermarkets at 4209 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene.
About The United Family®
Now in its 99th year of operation, United Supermarkets, LLC – d.b.a. The United Family® – is a Texas-based grocery chain with stores in 36 markets across north and west Texas and eastern New Mexico. A self-distributing company with its headquarters in Lubbock and distribution centers in Lubbock and Roanoke, United currently operates 67 stores under five unique brands: United Supermarkets, Market Street, Amigos, Albertsons Market and United Express, along with ancillary operations R.C. Taylor Distributing, Praters and Llano Logistics. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Albertson’s LLC. For more information, please visit www.unitedtexas.com.
Source: The United Family®
