Heart of Operations

The record

Four enterprises. One public listing. One billion-dollar acquisition. Every figure below was delivered from inside the operating seat.

Roles and results

• 2024 — PresentFounder & Principal Advisor · Heart of Operations LLCAdvisory, executive coaching, and interim operating leadership for multi-unit operators.
• 2018 — 2024Zone Vice President · The Fresh MarketCarried the corporate showcase zone — 55 stores, 4,500 team members — through the $1.2B Cencosud acquisition. Operations insulated, critical talent retained, #1 company-wide in customer satisfaction and engagement.
• 2015 — 2018Chief Operating Officer · Lucky’s MarketsBuilt the operating playbook that took a regional startup from $91M to $325M and 7 stores to 28 in thirty-six months.
• 2013 — 2015SVP of Operations · Sprouts Farmers MarketCore operational anchor through the NASDAQ IPO. 52 store openings in one cycle; labor optimization that cut 8% of cost while lifting satisfaction 12%.
• 2010 — 2013Regional Vice President · Southeastern Grocers · Winn-Dixie10% profitability improvement across 90+ stores and 5% regional shrink reduction, with field morale rebuilt to company-leading levels.
• 1980 — 2010Store Manager to SVP · Bruno’s · Delchamps · Super K · Kash n’ KarryThirty years earning every seat above, one store at a time.

Beyond the titles

Unusual breadth for one operator: conventional supermarket, natural and organic, specialty, and high-growth startup — public company, PE-backed, and founder-led.

Board service with the Alabama Grocers Association, the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, and the Regions Charity Classic. John Maxwell and Blanchard leadership programs.

Where I can help

Available for advisory, interim and fractional operating leadership, board and operating-partner roles, and diligence support. See how that works.