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New Seasons Market appoints CEO

Specialty grocer reorganizes executive leadership

Russell Redman

January 23, 2019

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

Forrest Hoffmaster has been named chief executive officer at New Seasons Market under a new leadership structure.

With the move, announced Tuesday, New Seasons’ top management shifts from dual-president setup. Hoffmaster had served as co-president along with Kristi McFarland, who now becomes chief strategy officer.

Forrest_Hoffmaster_New_Seasons_Market_CEO_1.png

New Seasons tabbed Hoffmaster (left) and McFarland as co-presidents in January 2018 with the exit of CEO Wendy Collie, who stepped down after serving in the role since December 2012.

“We’ve had a successful year coming together around our mission,” Hoffmaster said in a statement. “We have passionate and dedicated staff and an incredible, purpose-driven leadership team committed to the long-term health of our organization, staying true to our founder-inspired values and being a leader in the industry. Our team is structured to bring these priorities to life.”

Hoffmaster joined New Seasons in 2016 as chief financial officer. During his tenure a co-president, he oversaw business development, real estate, finance, technology and data and fostered the company’s partnership with Conscious Capitalism in advocating for sustainable business practices, the retailer said. His 25 years of financial and accounting experience comprise 19 years in grocery retail, including at H-E-B’s Central Market and at Whole Foods Market.

Related:New Seasons Market rolls out restaurant-quality meal kits

Kristi_McFarland_New_Seasons_Market_1.pngIn her new role as chief strategy officer, McFarland (left) is responsible for shaping New Season’s business strategy around its mission of providing a retail experience driven by a healthy, sustainable food system. She came to the company as chief people officer in 2014. As co-president, she oversaw people strategy, advanced progressive workplace practices, led community relations and bolstered brand engagement, according to New Seasons.

“I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished over the last year as a team with complementary strengths. With diverse experience and perspectives around the table, we ensure that our customers, communities, staff, vendors and business sustainability efforts are embedded in every decision we make,” McFarland said. “This is just the beginning of a really exciting year, and we have an incredible team in place to champion our mission and create positive, sustainable outcomes in our local food system.”

Rounding out the C-suite at New Seasons are Mark Law, chief operations officer, and Mary Wright, chief marketing officer.

Overall, New Seasons operates 25 stores in Oregon, Washington and California, including four New Leaf Community Market stores in Northern California, and focuses on locally produced and organic food and groceries. The company describes itself as “the world’s first B Corp grocery store,” certified as meeting certain standards for social sustainability, environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

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

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