UNFI CFO Zechmeister to exit company

PROVIDENCE – United Natural Foods Inc. Chief Financial Officer Mike Zechmeister will resign effective Aug. 23, the company announced this week.

The company said the departure is to pursue opportunities outside the company.

C.H. Robinson, based in Minneapolis, announced Zechmeister will join as chief financial officer of that company effective Sept. 3.

John W. Howard has been named UNFI interim chief financial officer, the company said. Howard joined UNFI in July as senior vice president, finance and accounting. Howard most recently served as interim chief financial officer for Prime Therapeutics.

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“I thank Mike for his contributions to UNFI over the past four years of significant growth and change. In the near term, we’re fortunate to have John’s experience and financial acumen available to our board, leadership team and finance organization,” said Steven L. Spinner, UNFI’s CEO and chairman, in a statement. “John will help continue our efforts to align and build a world-class finance organization, focusing on financial planning data, systems, and processes to drive and achieve our strategic business objectives.”

The company said it will begin an internal and external search for Zechmeister’s successor.

UNFI reported a profit of $165.7 million, or $3.26 per diluted share, in fiscal 2018, ended July 28, 2018, on a revenue of $10.2 billion. The company most recently reported a $57.1 million profit, or $1.12 per diluted share, in its fiscal third quarter, ended April 27, on a quarterly revenue of $6 billion.

Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor. You may reach him at Bergenheim@PBN.com.