Go Think!, a retail marketing, customer loyalty and digital technology firm, has added Dan Sanders to its management team. Sanders will serve as managing director for business development, focusing on both business development and marketing consulting.
A seasoned executive in the supermarket industry, Sanders most recently served as a Supervalu division president. During his tenure he led Albertsons Southern California and Acme Markets in Pennsylvania through business transformations that ultimately resulted in the sale of both companies to private equity investors.
Prior to serving in the publicly traded arena, Sanders was the CEO of United Supermarkets, a family-owned retailer based in Lubbock, Texas. His early business career included a seven-year stint working alongside his mentor Galen Walters at Adplex, a marketing company specializing in advertising production and business consultative services for corporate, retail and entertainment organizations.
“Dan’s vast industry experience and business accomplishments as a seasoned supermarket executive, a leader and visionary make him a perfect fit for Go Think! and where we are headed,” says Galen Walters, CEO and founder of The Woodlands, Texas-based Go Think!. “Dan and I have worked together for over 20 years and it is an honor to have him join our team. Dan is no stranger to our products, services or the industry sector we serve.”
“I’m thrilled to be reconnecting with my friend, Galen Walters,” says Sanders. “For nearly 20 years, as both a client and business partner, it’s been my pleasure to collaborate on a wide range of solutions with Galen. There’s no one I trust more. As an independent supermarket retailer at heart, I’m especially excited about the company’s desire to provide regional, privately held food retailers with innovative ways to create competitive advantages that drive profitable sales. I’m really looking forward to joining the talented team at GoThink!.”
Sanders is a decorated veteran of the Gulf War. A senior Air Force pilot, Sanders flew the U-2 spyplane and served as a liaison to the White House as a member of the Air Force One Presidential Advance team. Sanders also is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. His first book, “Built to Serve,” was published by McGraw-Hill in 2007. His second book, “Equipped to Lead,” co-authored with Galen Walters, also published by McGraw-Hill, was released in 2008.
Sanders has held leadership positions on the boards of the Food Marketing Institute and Western Association of Food Chains, and he currently serves on Pepperdine’s Graziadio Board of Visitors. He is a sought-after motivational speaker on the topic of leadership.
