Natural foods veteran Michael Besancon retires from Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM), the world’s leading organic and natural foods supermarket, announces that Michael Besancon, senior global vice-president of purchasing, distribution and communications, has decided to retire from the company after more than 17 years of service.
“Having worked in our line of business from soup to nuts, Michael is absolutely one of the most knowledgeable natural and organic foods pioneers,” said Walter Robb, co-CEO of Whole Foods Market. “He has been an outstanding leader at Whole Foods Market, and has earned well-deserved respect throughout our company and the industry. We will truly miss his wisdom and compassion.”
At Whole Foods Market, Besancon served as regional vice-president of purchasing and as regional president for the company’s Southern Pacific region and as regional president for the Mid-Atlantic region. He led the company’s Green Mission task force, guiding the purchase of an unprecedented 100 percent electricity offset of wind renewable energy credits starting in 2006.
He has dedicated 41 years of his career to providing natural and organic foods to those craving a healthier lifestyle. Prior to joining Whole Foods Market, Besancon was the co-owner of Follow Your Heart, a natural grocery store in Los Angeles and was vice-president at Nature’s Best Distributors.
“It’s been an honor to be part of the Whole Foods family for all of these years growing from 30 stores when I started in 1994 to more than 300 today,” said Besancon. “I’m proud to have worked with so many dedicated, passionate leaders and team members who bring the very best natural and organic products to the marketplace while believing in the greater purpose of making the world a better place through their work. I’m thankful for the amazing journey.”
An entrepreneur and environmental advocate, Besancon currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Earth University Foundation. He will continue to reside in California and will dedicate his time to travel as well as pursuing non-profit work, business and consulting projects, and speaking opportunities.
Whole Foods Market Promotes David Lannon and Ken Meyer
AUSTIN, Texas – Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM), the world’s leading organic and natural foods supermarket, announced that two Regional Presidents, David Lannon and Ken Meyer, have been promoted to Executive Vice-Presidents of Operations, joining the executive leadership team. The company’s 12 Regional Presidents will report to them.
Lannon, age 46, brings 25 years of company experience to the position, working most recently since 2007 as Regional President of the Northern California region where he led 36 stores. He previously was Regional President of the North Atlantic region, Regional Vice-President of the Northeast region, Store Team Leader of the Palo Alto and San Francisco stores, and Produce Team Leader in Mill Valley. Early in his career, he worked for five years at Bread & Circus and continued on after it was acquired by Whole Foods Market in 1992. Lannon will continue to help lead the company’s Healthy Eating and Wellness Club team.
Meyer, age 43, has been with Whole Foods Market for 17 years, most recently as Regional President for the Mid-Atlantic region since 2005 where he oversaw 39 stores. He has also served as Regional President of the South region, Regional Vice-President of the Southwest region and Store Team Leader of the Georgetown store. He began his natural foods career working in labor scheduling and planning with Fresh Fields, which was acquired by Whole Foods Market in 1996. Meyer will continue to be a member of the Board of Directors of Whole Kids Foundation and of Whole Planet Foundation in his new role.
“Ken and David are top flight, proven leaders who bring fresh operating experience at a time when we are stepping up our growth,” said Walter Robb, co-CEO of Whole Foods Market. “They are young but seasoned, bringing their valuable perspective to the table immediately while contributing well into the future.”
Co-founder and Co-CEO John Mackey of Whole Foods Market added, “We are thrilled with our decision to round out the executive team with two extremely capable and passionate leaders. David and Ken exemplify our company’s core values and really drive home our mission every day. We welcome them with open arms.”
In these newly created positions, Lannon and Meyer join John Mackey, Walter Robb, Glenda Flanagan, A.C. Gallo and Jim Sud, expanding the executive team to seven leaders. They will begin transitioning into their new roles over the next month. Lannon will reside in Northern California and Meyer in the Washington, D.C. area. Both will frequent the company’s headquarters in Austin.
Source: Whole Foods
