Sponsored By

FreshDirect CEO Jason Ackerman steps down

Co-founder David McInerney named as successor

Russell Redman

September 7, 2018

2 Min Read
Supermarket News logo in a gray background | Supermarket News

FreshDirect co-founder Jason Ackerman has resigned as chairman and chief executive officer after helping to lead the online grocer for nearly 20 years.

Neither Ackerman nor FreshDirect gave a reason for the move, announced late afternoon yesterday. The Bronx, N.Y.-based, privately held company has named co-founder David McInerney to take the CEO reins and join the board of directors.

“Over the last 20 years, we have built and grown this business into an industry leader, one that truly makes a difference in the lives of our customers. Building FreshDirect and FoodKick alongside an incredible group of talented people has been a tremendous experience,” Ackerman said in a statement. “I am confident the team will continue to drive the business forward and stay true to our unwavering commitment to deliver the best-quality food with outstanding customer service.”

Jason_Ackerman_FreshDirect_CEO_0.pngAckerman (left) has served as FreshDirect’s CEO since May 2011, taking over the post following the departure of Richard Braddock. Ackerman and McInerney helped found the company in 1999 with Joe Fedele, who served as CEO from its launch in 2002 until 2004.

FreshDirect said the leadership changes comes as the company enters a new growth phase. In July, for example, the e-grocer moved into a state-of-the-art, 400,000-square-foot campus in the South Bronx area of New York City. In 2016, the company had expanded the business with the launch of FoodKick, an on-demand service offering urban residents a curated selection of food, alcohol and daily essentials, delivered in as soon as an hour.

Related:FreshDirect opens new facility in the Bronx

David-McInerny_FreshDirect_0.pngMcInerney (left) has held several leadership roles at FreshDirect. Most recently, he served as chief merchandising officer, overseeing food sourcing, buying and merchandising. He also traveled internationally to cultivate relationships with FreshDirect’s producer partners.

“Jason and I have worked together since the beginning, and we are very proud of what we have accomplished over the years,” McInerney said. “This is a very exciting time for the company as we settle into our new home. I look forward to working with the entire FreshDirect team as we usher the company into this next chapter of growth.”

FreshDirect delivers fresh food and groceries to customers in seven states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including the New York City and Philadelphia metropolitan areas and the District of Columbia.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like