Dave Meyer, EVP of Coborn’s Inc., has been promoted to chief operating officer of the employee-owned grocery chain. Meyer currently leads operations, human resources, workforce planning, fresh and center store merchandising and marketing. He now also will serve on the board of directors.
Meyer joined Coborn’s in 1985 as an evening shift manager and has excelled in a variety of roles throughout his career with the company as store manager, deli supervisor, district manager, VP of operations, SVP and most recently as EVP, where he oversees operations, human resources, workforce planning, fresh and center store merchandising and marketing.
“Dave has proven to be a valuable asset to Coborn’s through his strong leadership, vision, and commitment to the company’s operational standards and growth,” said Chris Coborn, chairman, president and CEO. “He has developed his leadership skills over his 35-year tenure with the company and has been a key part of our growth and success. His industry expertise and his commitment to our team will serve us well as our company continues to grow.”
“I am humbled by this opportunity to continue to serve in the leadership of our growing company,” said Meyer. “I take great pride in ensuring we provide our guests with remarkable service and building a ‘great place to work’ culture for our employees. We have carefully and strategically developed a business model that puts focus on our guests and delivers on our brand promises. I look forward to executing our next phase of growth.”
Troy Vosburgh has joined Coborn’s as VP of fresh merchandising, where he will oversee the company’s merchandising strategy in its produce, meat, deli, bakery and floral departments. He will report to Meyer. Vosburgh replaces Mike Richter, who retired in December 2020 after 22 years with the company. Vosburgh joins Coborn’s from Skogan’s Festival Foods in Wisconsin, where he was VP of fresh foods for the past 14 years. He also previously served as director of produce, wine and spirits.
Recent promotions
Coborn’s also has announced the recent promotions of several directors:
- Dusty Kerssen has been promoted to senior director of human resources, reporting to Meyer. Kerssen oversees human resources, learning and development, and benefits. She has been with Coborn’s nearly six years, all of which have been dedicated to the area of human resources.
- Chris Schlichting has been promoted to director of continuous improvement, reporting to Meyer. Schlichting has been with the company since 1992. He most recently served as store director at Coborn’s on Pine Cone Road in Sartell, Minnesota, which includes all of the company’s newest fresh concepts, and an online shopping and home delivery operation. Prior to that, he served as store director for Coborn’s in Melrose, Minnesota, and held retail leadership roles prior to that, as well.
- Peter Coborn has been promoted to director of strategic pricing, reporting to Meyer. Coborn has been with the company since 2014. He most recently served as e-commerce operations manager, and previously served as a liquor district manager. Prior to working for Coborn’s, he worked at St. Paul, Minnesota-based Johnson Brothers Liquor Co.
Coborn’s Inc. celebrates its centennial anniversary in 2021. The company maintains its commitment to serving its guests with friendly service, offering new products and services with expanded fresh departments, safe and clean stores, online shopping and a team approach that has been widely admired in the industry.
St. Cloud, Minnesota-based Coborn’s has nearly 9,300 employees and 59 grocery stores across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin under the Coborn’s, Cash Wise Foods, Marketplace Foods and Hornbacher’s banners. Coborn’s Inc. also owns liquor and pharmacy locations. To support its 130 various retail business units, Coborn’s Inc. operates its own central bakery, dry cleaning facility and grocery distribution center. In 2018, Coborn’s was named to the Star Tribune’s “Top Workplaces in Minnesota” list and was also recently named to Achievers’ list of “50 Most Engaged Workplaces” for the third year in a row.
