The California Grocers Association (CGA) elected Richard Wardwell, president and CEO at Superior Grocers, as Board Chair on December 5, 2025. With the gavel passed, Wardwell will lead the Board’s strategy regarding CGA’s numerous legislative, educational, and industry-related programs over the next year. Wardwell succeeds Michel LeClerc, Chief Administrative Officer, North State Grocery.
At Superior Grocers, Wardwell spearheads the company’s business strategy and oversees internal culture. Wardwell has been with Superior Grocers, which serves primarily Latino communities across 74 locations, for 11 years. Prior, he spent 25 years with Raley’s, including three years as vice president of operations for the food source division.
“Rich has an admirable track record of helping those in need and has already set a clear vision to help improve affordability, and support homelessness and mental health programs during his tenure as Chair,” said CGA President and CEO Ron Fong. “An active member of the industry and CGA Board for many years, I’m confident his integrity, compassion, and drive will be of great service to our grocery community over the next year.”
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Wardwell will be joined on the CGA Executive Board by First Vice Chair, Johnson Chen, 99 Ranch Markets; Second Vice Chair, Bertha Luna, Stater Bros. Markets; Treasurer, Elliott Stone, Mollie Stone’s Markets; and Secretary, Sergio Gonzalez, Northgate Gonzalez Markets.
Directors elected to their first full three-year term include: Steve Tsujimoto, Berkeley Bowl Marketplace; Adam Caldecott, Good Food Holdings; Shant Fermanian, Super King Markets; Ryan Adams, Gelson’s Markets; Kristen Sherwood, Grocery Outlet; Priyanka Vijay, Keurig Dr. Pepper; Dom Engles, Classic Wines of California; Anthony Escobar, NuCal Foods; Taylor Chappell, Anheuser-Busch InBev; and Adam Deardoff, FMS Solutions.
Directors elected to their second full three-year term include: Chris Dehoff, Dehoff’s Key Market; Michael Molinar, PAQ, Inc.; Brandon McAbee, Bimbo Bakeries USA; and Stephanie Wu, The Save Mart Companies.
Chang So, Hollister Super, was elected the Independent Operators chair designee. Brenda Palomino, Amazon; Subriana Pierce, C.A. Fortune; and Joe Mueller, Mars Snacking, were elected the Chair’s Appointees. Former CGA Chair Lynn Melillo, Bristol Farms, was elected an honorary board member.