Krasdale Foods Promotes Gus Lebiak as President and COO

Krasdale Foods announced Steve Silver is planning to retire as president and COO and will assume an advisory role after 40 years at the company. The 112-year-old, family-owned business has named Gus Lebiak as its new president and COO effective January 1, 2021.

Krasdale Foods Inc. provides essential services to supermarket operators, including grocery distribution, merchandising, marketing and financing.

Since joining Krasdale eight years ago, Lebiak has steadily assumed greater leadership roles within the company. Last year, he was promoted to chief operating officer of Alpha 1 Marketing, an affiliate of Krasdale, according to the company.

Following his retirement, Steve Silver will continue to serve in an advisory capacity and will also remain on the board of directors, the company said.

“We’re grateful to Steve Silver for his tremendous leadership and the significant role he has played in growing and diversifying Krasdale Foods,” said Krasdale CEO and Chairman of the Board, Charles A.  Krasne. “Looking forward, I am confident that Gus will be a strong leader, providing continuity and deep insights that will result in further growth of our business. His promotion is a natural progression of his career and is well earned. I look forward to working closely with him.”

“I also look forward to continuing to work closely with Gus,” said Thatcher Krasne, President of Alpha 1 Marketing. “Gus is well integrated into the Krasdale family and will continue our tradition of excellent customer service. I expect the transition to be very smooth.”

As COO of Alpha 1 Marketing, Lebiak currently oversees key departments such as advertising, digital services, customer service, community relations, retail operations, marketing, meat and produce, and merchandising, as well as retail regulatory compliance and training.

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“Since coming on-board at Krasdale Foods, Gus has worked closely alongside me to create a culture of collaboration among employees resulting in our best-in-class management team,” Silver said. “Most recently, when our industry faced unprecedented challenges, Gus played a big part in helping Krasdale help its customers to get through the pandemic on solid footing. I have complete confidence in his ability and leadership.”

With over 40 years of grocery industry experience and educational background which includes an MBA in Corporate Finance, Lebiak has a diverse skill set that has made him indispensable within many areas of the business, said the company.

He began his career working in-store at Mayfair Supermarkets before moving to the wholesale side of the business as a category manager at Twin County Grocers. From there, Lebiak assisted in the launch of Allegiance Retail Services, a supermarket cooperative, serving as director of grocery and then vice president of center store, before leaving to join Krasdale Foods as a vice president.

“I feel so honored to lead this team, building on the vision and values of Steve Silver and the Krasne family,” Lebiak said. “Throughout my four decades in this industry, I have never worked with a more dedicated or talented team. The management team at Krasdale is top-notch. I look forward to working closely with Charles and Thatcher Krasne along with senior management and our valued employees to innovate and to continue consistent, long-term growth across all areas of the business.”

Krasdale Foods’ Comida Para La Comunidad Initiative Donates 500,000 Meals

Krasdale Foods, in partnership with its banner stores, C-Town Supermarkets and Bravo Supermarkets, and its vendor partners has announced that it has donated 500,000 meals via its Comida Para La Comunidad initiative.

“Due to COVID-19, our local communities need more support than ever before,” said Steve Silver, Krasdale Foods President and COO. “Together with our key partners, we are proud to help our communities through this difficult time in the one way we know best: Putting meals on people’s tables.”

The Comida Para La Comunidad program also encouraged customers to donate to a food bank of their choice based on participating locations, including City Harvest, Food Bank for NYC, Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Feeding Westchester, Connecticut Food Bank, and Long Island Cares.

Every $1 donated will provide 10 meals via Feeding America on behalf of one of the selected local food banks.