Description
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THE ORGANIZATION
California Grocers Association (CGA) Advancing California’s grocery industry and the communities it serves. The California Grocers Association (CGA) is seeking a dynamic, politically sophisticated, and highly strategic President & Chief Executive Officer to lead one of California’s most established and influential business associations into its next chapter of leadership and impact, following the planned retirement of its long-time, highly respected President & CEO, Mr. Ron Fong.
This leadership transition comes at a consequential time for both the Association and the grocery industry it represents. California grocery retailers are navigating an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving operating environment, shaped by labor volatility, organized retail crime, escalating regulatory demands, sustainability expectations, shifting consumer behaviors, public health considerations, technology disruption, supply chain complexity, and intensifying political scrutiny.
At the same time, the grocery industry’s importance has never been more visible. Grocery retailers serve not simply as commercial enterprises, but as essential infrastructure within California’s communities, supporting food access, employment, health, economic stability, and local resilience. The next CEO will inherit a respected and high-functioning organization, but also an extraordinary opportunity to shape how the industry adapts, leads, and influences policy in the years ahead.
Founded in 1898, CGA has served for more than a century as the leading advocate and unifying voice for California’s grocery industry. Today, the Association represents more than 300 grocery retailers operating over 6,000 stores statewide, ranging from independent, family-owned grocers and regional chains to some of the nation’s largest food retailers, along with approximately 150 supplier companies supporting the grocery ecosystem. The Association has a $5 million budget and an empowered staff of thirteen, all supporting a culture of servant leadership.
Over the past two decades, the organization has grown and now includes five companies in its portfolio: (1) CGA, the main focus, (2) the CGA Educational Foundation, (3) Aisle 3 LLC, formed to purchase a historic corner of downtown Sacramento, (4) Retail Marketing Solutions (RMS), a “for profit” company, and (5) Circular CRV Association, CGA’s recycling company. Each company has its own professional management, and the CGA CEO sits on each board. Beyond advocacy, CGA delivers substantial member value through executive networking, educational programming, conferences, industry convenings, workforce initiatives, and the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation, which supports scholarships, leadership development, and career pathways into the grocery industry.
Headquartered in Sacramento in a downtown building it owns, CGA maintains a highly visible presence at the State Capitol and throughout California’s business and policy communities. Governed by an engaged fifty-two-member Board of Directors comprised of respected grocery industry leaders, the organization operates in a highly relational, politically active, member-driven environment where credibility, responsiveness, and strategic influence matter deeply.
THE POSITION
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the President & Chief Executive Officer serves as the chief executive leader, strategic architect, enterprise steward, and principal public voice of CGA.
COMPENSATION AND INTERVIEW PROCESS
The compensation package is competitive and will be commensurate with experience. It includes a base salary of $475,000 plus up to a 20% bonus, along with a comprehensive benefits package.
Selected candidates will be invited to interview with the Search Committee in Sacramento on Monday, August 3, 2026, with second interviews for finalists the following morning.
PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY
For confidential consideration before COB on Monday, June 29, 2026, please submit a chronological resume to:
Requirements
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (in priority order)
- Fifteen plus years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience in a trade association, advocacy organization, relevant private sector enterprise (grocery or complementary), or similarly complex stakeholder-driven environment
- Demonstrated success in California government relations, advocacy, public affairs, regulatory strategy, or public policy leadership
- Experience working effectively with Boards of Directors (including multiple boards), executive committees, and volunteer leadership
- Strong business acumen and the ability to connect public policy outcomes to operational realities and the bottom line
- Experience leading organizational growth, strategic positioning, and external visibility initiatives
- Financial and staff leadership experience, including budget oversight and revenue stewardship, and staff development
COMPETENCIES (in priority order)
- Strategic and politically sophisticated leadership, committed to results
- High emotional intelligence and authentic servant leadership orientation
- Exceptional relationship-building capability and executive presence
- Commercially minded with strong business judgment
- Results-oriented leadership style with powerful execution discipline and accountability
- Ability to navigate ambiguity, urgency, and competing stakeholder interests
- Adaptable, pragmatic, and forward-looking
EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS (in priority order)
- Undergraduate degree
- Advanced degree preferred (MBA, JD, MPA, or related discipline)
- Ongoing executive leadership development preferred
ADDITIONAL ROLE PARAMETERS
- Sacramento region based or willing to relocate to the region
- First year significant in-state travel is expected to support member engagement, advocacy, and stakeholder relationship-building, with annual travel thereafter estimated at 20%
