United Natural Foods Inc. named David Best as the president and CEO of retail, effective Aug. 17. Best will be responsible for accelerating UNFI’s retail business growth strategy while leading the company’s two retail banners, Cub Foods and Shoppers Food Warehouse.

FiveStar Gourmet Foods, home of Simply Fresh, has hired Liz Atlee as general counsel and chief compliance officer. 

Atlee brings a distinguished background in legal affairs, ethics and compliance, most recently serving as senior vice president and chief ethics and compliance officer at CBRE, where she led a global program operating in over 100 countries. Her expertise encompasses enterprise risk management, including data and cyber protection, litigation strategy, regulatory policy and corporate governance.

Bonipak Produce and Betteravia Farms announced that Kristen Camarena has been appointed executive vice president of farming operations.

A Central Valley native with agricultural roots, Camarena brings two decades of experience and a strong track record of leadership across multiple facets of industry. Her career began in grower relations, where she developed a strong foundation in building long-term partnerships and advocating for the success of growers.

JOH, a leading independent food broker based in Billerica, MA, hired Julia Costanza as a produce business manager in the Pittsburgh-Cleveland region.

Costanza brings a decade of experience in the food industry, with a strong background in produce buying, forecasting and category management. She began her career working on the produce order desk at a large Mid-Atlantic-based customer, and later as a produce buyer’s assistant, managing multiple categories, negotiating orders and overseeing financial billing. 

FiveStar Gourmet Foods named Johnny Hughes as president of SF-360, the company’s groundbreaking omnichannel platform focused on delivering fresh food solutions across retail, foodservice, sports and entertainment, transportation, hospitality and quick-service restaurant channels. In addition to his executive role, Hughes will also serve on the FiveStar board of directors, helping shape the company’s long-term strategic vision.

The Kroger Co. has hired George Vincent, who will join the company as its secretary and general counsel, effective Aug. 4.

Vincent previously served as the firm's managing partner from 2007 to 2022, where he oversaw significant expansion and led many of the firm's strategic efforts. He also served as chairman of the firm's first board of directors. In that role, Vincent oversaw more than 750 lawyers who are licensed in 35 states and the District of Columbia and who supported clients across the U.S. facing complex legal challenges.