Food City officials recently named John Jones as the company’s new Executive Vice President/Director of Store Operations.  The position was formerly held by Jody Helms, who retired from the company after 15 years of dedicated service.  Jones brings more than 34 years of industry experience to the position.

“I have been privileged to work with John Jones for more than 25 years, and watch him grow into the tremendous leader he is today,” says Steven C. Smith, Food City President and Chief Executive Officer.  “John is a forward thinker with high expectations who is very passionate about his team.  He is extremely committed to our associates, customers and the communities we serve, and I am confident that he will do an exceptional job serving in this key position within our company.”

Jones joined the Food City team in 1980, accepting a position as a courtesy clerk in Johnson City, TN, while attending Hampton High School.  What began as a part-time job quickly grew into the makings of an extraordinary career, as Jones developed a genuine passion for the business that quickly catapulted him through the ranks.  He has served in a number of key positions, including Store Manager, District Manager and most recently Executive Vice President of Store Operations for the company’s Knoxville Division.

Jones’ new duties will include guiding the store operations team for the company’s 105 supermarkets, including their Gas N Go fuel centers and Food City Pharmacies.  “While we certainly enjoyed living in Knoxville, Jennifer and I are looking forward to moving back home,” says Jones.  “I am excited to have the opportunity to work with the entire Food City team to continue the mission our company was founded upon almost 60 years ago by Jack C. Smith, to “run the best store in town.”

Jones is an active member of his community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation and several committees for his local church in Halls, TN.  He also serves on the University of Tennessee Retail Hospitality Board and as Treasurer for the Executive Committee of Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association Board of Directors, and is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Kingsport TN Chamber of Commerce, Tennessee Grocers Education Foundation Golf Tournament and recently served on The Medal of Honor 2014 Convention Executive Committee.  He was inducted into the Hall of Eagles for the Tennessee Grocer’s Education Foundation, received the 40 Under 40 Award for rising employers from the Tri-Cities Business Journal, and also received special recognition from the National Grocers Association’s executive leadership program.

Jones is a 1981 graduate of Hampton High School and attended Northeast State Community College and East Tennessee State University. He currently resides in Halls, TN with his wife, Jennifer. They are the proud parents of Tyler, who attends The Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy at ETSU in Johnson City, TN and Brianna, a junior at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga.

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores operates 105 retail food outlets throughout the tri-state regions of Southeast Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.