Chief Executive Officer

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY

For confidential consideration before COB on Monday, June 29, 2026, please submit a chronological resume to:

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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.

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.

In furtherance of the organization’s prioritized key initiatives, the new CEO shall:

Expand Government Relations Impact

• Further elevate CGA’s position as the preeminent and most influential voice for California’s grocery industry among policymakers, regulators, coalition partners, members, and business leaders
• Expand CGA’s advocacy impact through an increasingly proactive, politically sophisticated, and highly integrated government relations, political engagement, and public affairs strategy
• Anticipate, shape, and influence legislative and regulatory developments before they materially affect members, rather than reacting to them
• Deepen strategic relationships with key policymakers, regulatory leaders, statewide business coalitions, and influential external stakeholders
• Deliver measurable advocacy outcomes that strengthen member competitiveness, reduce business risk, and reinforce CGA’s reputation for results

Accelerate Membership Growth and Member Value

• Sharpen and expand CGA’s already compelling value proposition to drive accelerated membership growth, deeper engagement, and stronger retention
• Increase penetration among eligible grocery retailers while strategically expanding into adjacent and complementary sectors that strengthen the Association’s long-term influence and relevance
• Modernize and elevate member engagement, communications, service delivery, and relationship management to reflect evolving member expectations
• Further position CGA as an indispensable strategic partner to member executives navigating increasingly complex business, labor, regulatory, and competitive challenges

Elevate the Brand and Strategic Influence

• Further establish CGA as California’s definitive grocery industry authority and the most respected voice on grocery retail policy, business, and consumer-facing issues
• Expand the Association’s strategic visibility across California’s business, political, media, and public policy ecosystems
• Build a more assertive external communications and thought leadership platform that proactively shapes industry narratives rather than responds to them
• Increase executive visibility for the Association and strengthen CGA’s role as a sought-after convener, trusted resource, and influential business voice
• Ensure the CGA brand reflects the sophistication, effectiveness, and strategic importance of the organization it represents

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE FIRST YEAR

Major expectations in furtherance of the organization’s prioritized key initiatives:

Within the first 30 days the new President & CEO will:

• Personally meet with Board leadership, key members, staff, strategic stakeholders, the contract GR team, and the new administration to begin establishing relationships and communication needs
• Gain a working understanding of CGA’s governance structure, advocacy operations, membership composition, financial model, strategic priorities, and organizational culture
• Assess immediate advocacy priorities, external pressures, and member concerns. Share findings with the Board
• Establish an engaged, energized and visible leadership presence internally and externally

Within the first 90 days:

• Begin developing trusted working relationships with the new administration, key policymakers, regulators, member CEOs, coalition partners, and industry stakeholders
• Gain fluency in the Association’s operating model, financial structure, membership revenue, strategic conference, and political infrastructure
• Evaluate CGA’s advocacy model, membership engagement approach, communications effectiveness, and organizational capabilities, to include immediate opportunities and their related cost. Share findings with the Board, and begin to develop a plan

By the six-month marker:

• Will be executing enhanced strategies to aggressively strengthen advocacy impact, accelerate membership growth, satisfaction and retention, and organizational visibility
• Be viewed as a visible, credible, trusted, and highly effective leader by members, Board leadership, staff, and external stakeholders

By the end of the first year:

• Successfully transition into the role while accelerating organizational momentum and member confidence
• Deliver measurable, significant progress in government relations effectiveness, membership engagement/growth, and brand elevation
• Strengthen CGA’s influence and visibility as the voice of California’s grocery industry
• Build stronger, impactful relationships with policymakers, regulators, members, and key stakeholders
• Position the Association for sustained growth, relevance, and long-term impact

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

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE & LEADERSHIP CONTEXT (in priority order)

• A high-visibility, relationship-driven, leadership role requiring credibility, responsiveness, and strategic influence
• A collaborative governance culture with engaged Board leadership and active member participation
• A fast-paced, externally focused environment requiring political sophistication, urgency, and results
• A service-oriented organization committed to delivering measurable member value, exceptional internal and external customer service, and advocacy results
• An organization seeking thoughtful modernization, stronger visibility and impact, and continued strategic growth

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%

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.