FMS News Room

Veteran Trade Association and Financial Executive and Joins the National Grocers Association

Arlington, VA - The National Grocers Association (N.G.A.) is pleased to announce that Charles (Charlie) Bray, a veteran association and financial executive with more than thirty years of non-profit association experience, has agreed to join the N.G.A. team as our new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Most recently, Charlie served as President and CEO of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). Prior to joining IAAPA, Bray was with the non-profit division consulting firm of RSM McGladrey. He also served as President of the Food Processing Suppliers Association and President of the Electronic Retailing Association. From 1978 to 1995, Charlie worked in a variety of roles and ultimately rose to the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Food Marketing Institute (FMI).

Peter Larkin, President and CEO said, "I am thrilled to be able to have someone of Charlie's caliber join our team and hope you will give him a warm welcome when he arrives in December."

With this structural change within N.G.A., Frank DiPasquale, Executive Vice President has decided to pursue other opportunities in the food industry, effective immediately. Peter Larkin commented, "Frank has dedicated himself to this organization for the last fourteen years and has been a passionate advocate for the independent grocer. He will be missed but we wish him well as he embarks on the next exciting chapter in his career."

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N.G.A. is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. Most independent operators are serviced by wholesale distributors, while others may be partially or fully self-distributing. Some are publicly traded but with controlling shares held by the family and others are employee owned. Independents are the true "entrepreneurs" of the grocery industry and dedicated to their customers, associates, and communities. N.G.A. members include retail and wholesale grocers, state grocers associations, as well as manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about N.G.A. and the independent sector of the industry, see the N.G.A. website: www.NationalGrocers.org