ABINGDON, VA (Thursday, June 18, 2026) – Food City recently announced the promotion of two store managers - Brad Holt and Eric Hozouri - to the role of district manager, where they will join the Senior Staff executive leadership team. They succeed Steven Jones and Brian Hemminger, who have both advanced into senior director positions. Jones was recently promoted to Senior Director of Produce & Floral Operations and Hemminger was promoted to Senior Director of Food Service & Starbucks Operations.

“Brad and Eric are exceptional mentors and leaders who sets a strong example for their associates and for the company as a whole. Highly respected and admired by their teammates, they are deeply committed to their customers and providing exceptional service. They are also an asset to their local communities,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.

Holt brings more than 30 years of knowledge and experience to this important role, having served in multiple positions before becoming a store manager. Throughout his career, he has successfully led six Food City store locations and spent several years serving as a back‑up district manager.

Holt will oversee eleven stores within the company’s Knoxville Division, covering the region from Lenoir City to Cookeville, TN. He began his career at Food City in 1996 as a courtesy clerk and progressed through several roles, including assistant store manager, before becoming a store manager in 2004. Over the course of his career, Holt has successfully led six store locations and also served as a grocery supervisor. 

Holt is actively involved in his community and serves on the Chambers of Commerce of Cookeville, TN. His leadership has earned him notable recognition, including being named a finalist in FMI – The Food Industry Association’s Store Manager of the Year Awards in 2023. In 2025, he received Food City’s highest honor – the Jack C. Smith Store Manager of the Year Award.

Holt is a graduate of Roane State Community College, where he earned an associate degree in applied science. He and his lovely wife, Christy currently reside in Crossville, TN. They are the proud parents of two children – Blake and Cenleigh.

Hozouri began his career at just 16, advancing through the ranks from courtesy clerk and cashier to assistant store manager and eventually store manager. He joined the Food City team in 2014 through an acquisition, continuing to serve as a store manager before moving into his most recent role as special projects manager. In his new position, Hozouri will serve as a district manager for the Chattanooga Division, overseeing twelve stores spanning from the Greater Chattanooga area to Winchester, TN.  

Hozouri is engaged in his community and currently serves on the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Bradley Sunrise Rotary Club. Over the years, he has supported numerous local organizations, including United Way of the Ocoee Region, Greater Cleveland Soccer Association, and he has represented the region on the Store Management Leadership Council. 

Hozouri has earned several notable honors throughout this career, including being nominated for FMI – The Food Industry Association’s Store Manager of the Year Award, becoming a four-time President’s Club winner, and receiving the Dale Carnegie Achievement Award. 

Hozouri currently resides in Cleveland, TN with his lovely wife, Sofia. They are the proud parents of four daughters – Emily, Katie, Abby, and Carly.

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 162 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama. For information on Food City, visit their website at foodcity.com.