The National Co+op Grocers Association (NCG) announced numerous changes in late August. Donna Schlaufman will be retiring in mid-October. Donna’s work with the cooperative grocery sector precedes NCG’s existence, going back to her work at Weaver Street Market and as a Co-op Advantage Program coordinator. Donna has been an integral part of NCG’s and their member co-ops’ success over the years and has had an immense impact on the Natural Products Industry through her collaborative partnerships she’s built with countless brands over the years, elevating many to greater heights beyond even NCG. Claudia Arcuri-Smith will be moving over to Donna’s snacks, candy, coffee, tea, bulk desk. Lisa DeMaria has been promoted to Category Manager to fill the vacancy created by Donna’s impending retirement and will move into the main meals part of Claudia Arcuri-Smith’s current desk. With these changes in staff, the NCG reassessed desk composition and are moving baking and baby categories to Sarah Gordon’s desk.
The NCG is also making a few changes to Associate Category Managers’ (ACM) assignments:
- Berhe Tesfahun will support Lisa DeMaria
- Jess Saunders will support Jeanette Bloss
- Berhe and Jess will split support for Claudia
- Niki Nash will support Morgan Organ
- The NCG is in the process of backfilling Lisa’s former ACM position, and the new ACM – once in place – will support Brian Larson
- Niki and future ACM will split support for Sarah
When are the changes taking effect?
- There are a lot of moving pieces here and they are seeking to mitigate any disruptions to business
- Donna will be owning her desk all the way up to her day of retirement. Please continue to send all communication to Donna for this desk until told otherwise
- That will allow Claudia to spend time with Lisa getting her up to speed. Send all communication for Main Meals categories to Lisa and Claudia until told otherwise
- Baking and Baby categories are going to move based on program year:
- Claudia will own all 2024 promotions and program activity
- Sarah will own all 2025 promotions and program activity
- The new ACM hiring timeline calls for a start date of October 14th will a period of a couple weeks for onboarding. Thus, the ACM transitions will be a little more fluid. Please direct primary communication to the assigned category manager as above and each will decide to loop in an ACM as appropriate.
- The NCG is evaluating potential adjustments to our remaining 2025 review calendar (rounds 6 through 10) and, if we do make any adjustments, will announce any changes directly to broker partners and affected brands.
- Partner Connection assignments, category review calendars and files, etc, will be updated as changes take effect
For more information contact PRESENCES Emily Kaster at ekaster@pmidpi.com, Katty Schallert at kschallert@pmidpi.com, or Rhonda Siltman at rsiltman@pmidpi.com.
(847) 277-9500