Food City has appointed Kevin Stafford to VP of marketing. Stafford brings 20 years of industry experience to the position, including 18 years in retail management.
Born and raised in Bristol, Tennessee, Stafford joined the Food City team in 1996, serving as a courtesy clerk for the company’s Volunteer Parkway location in Bristol while attending Sullivan East High School in Bluff City. He quickly worked his way through the ranks, serving in a number of positions, including front-end manager, head cashier, front-end supervisor, help desk manager and most recently director of front-end operations. Last year, Stafford also assumed the added responsibility of the development of the Virginia-based grocery chain’s e-commerce department, including its new GoCart curbside pick-up program.
“Having begun his career with our company at such an early age, Kevin has amassed a tremendous amount of knowledge of our total store operations, as well as an exceptional rapport with our other department leaders. He has also been extremely instrumental in developing and managing a number of new programs vital to our success. I’m confident that his experience and insight will enable us to continue to advance our marketing initiatives to meet and exceed the needs of our loyal customers for many years to come,” said Food City President and CEO Steven C. Smith.
Stafford’s new responsibilities include the oversight of Food City’s marketing efforts for the entire 135-store supermarket chain.
“I’m proud to work for such a great company—one that supports their associates, their customers and the communities they serve. And I’m excited to have been given this incredible opportunity to not only work with a great team of associates, but to continue to enhance our company’s rich heritage of serving our loyal customers and the region at large,” said Stafford.
Stafford holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree as well as a MBA from Milligan College. He is active within his local church, First Baptist Church of Blountville, where he works with the youth program. He and his wife Kristie are the parents of two sons, Karson, 7, and Kameron, 2. They currently reside in Bristol.
