ABINGDON, VA (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – Food City officials recently named Haskel Bledsoe to the company’s newly created position of Vice President of Special Projects.  Bledsoe brings nearly 40 years of industry experience and knowledge to this key position.

Food City officials recently named Haskel Bledsoe to the company’s newly created position of Vice President of Special Projects. 

“Haskel’s diverse experience and vast knowledge of the supermarket industry and our company make him a very valuable asset for Food City.  He never backs down from a challenge and always rises to the occasion to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to complete the job,” says Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.

Bledsoe began his career in the grocery industry at the age of 16, working for a chain store in Kingsport, TN.  He served in a number of management roles for the organization, including Grocery Manager, Assistant Store Manager, Store Manager, and District Manager. 

Bledsoe joined the Food City team in December 2002 as Project Manager.  He was later promoted to Store Manager and then moved on to serve as District Manager for 17 Food City locations in the Tri-City market area.  In 2014, Bledsoe assumed the role of Director of Security/Loss Prevention for the company and was promoted to Corporate Controller in 2018, responsible for the oversight of the company’s finance and accounting operations.  The past several months, his efforts have been focused on leading the company’s development of their new data management program.  In this new role, Bledsoe will be responsible for directing the company’s special project initiatives.

“It’s a privilege to work for such a great company that supports and encourages its associates to excel both personally and professionally.  Delivering exceptional customer service is our top priority and I look forward to working with the various teams through our company to continue to develop and improve the processes and technologies necessary to enhance best practices for our associates, as well as the customer experience at store level,” says Bledsoe. 

Bledsoe is an active member of his community, having served on the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Keep Kingsport Beautiful Counsel.  He is a graduate of Rye Cove High School in Duffield, Virginia and attended Mountain Empire Community College.  Bledsoe and his lovely wife Lorie currently reside in Abingdon, Virginia.  They are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, Lindsay and Landrey. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 02/24/2021-1PM)

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