Brian Johnson has joined The Fresh Market as senior vice president of store operations.

Johnson starts in the new position effective immediately, The Fresh Market said Tuesday. A 30-year industry veteran, mostly in store operations, he fills the vacancy left by Randy Rambo, who left the company earlier this year.

For the past six years, Johnson served as senior vice president and division manager at Tyler, Texas-based Brookshire Grocery Co., which operates more than 180 stores in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas under the Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods, Fresh by Brookshire’s and Spring Market banners.

In that role, he led more than 8,000 employees in 107 stores and had seven vice president and district manager direct reports, The Fresh Market noted. Before that, he served as vice president and district manager, overseeing 13 Tyler-area Brookshire’s stores.

“I am excited to have Brian lead our store operations team and help continue to energize our business, building relationships with our guests, and ensuring that every visit to The Fresh Market is a memorable and welcoming experience, with exceptionally clean, friendly and well-stocked stores,” Jason Potter, resident and CEO of The Fresh Market, said in a statement.

Specializing in natural and organic groceries, Greensboro, N.C.-based The Fresh Market operates 159 stores in 22 states.

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