Food City recently announced the appointment of Mickey Blazer to the position of Executive Vice President of Store Operations for their Knoxville Division.  The position was formerly held by John Jones, who was promoted to Executive Vice President/Director of Store Operations for the supermarket chain.  Blazer brings over 37 years of industry experience to the position, including 6 years in pharmacy management.

Blazer began his retail career shortly after graduating high school.  He has served in numerous positions during his employment with Food City, including general merchandise manager, produce manager, meat cutter, assistant store manager, HBC/GM supervisor/area trainer, store manager, district manager, pharmacy operations manager, director of pharmacy operations and most recently, vice president of pharmacy operations.  

“Prior to transitioning into pharmacy supervision, Mickey managed a number of our store locations and served as district manager for over 11 years.  His comprehensive knowledge of store operations and vast experience have proven vital to our company.  He is a true asset and we couldn’t be more pleased to announce this much deserved promotion,” says Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.

Blazer’s new duties will consists of overseeing the store operations for Food City’s Knoxville based division, which includes 47 Food City and 2 Super Dollar Discount Food Store locations, as well as their Gas n’ Go fuel centers and Food City Pharmacies.  “I am looking forward to utilizing my extensive background in retail operations in a market I am very familiar with.  I have managed a number of different locations, both rural and metropolitan in the Knoxville and surrounding areas.  I’m excited to see our company continue to grow and progress.  I look forward to this opportunity to work alongside our dedicated team of associates to continue to meet and exceed the expectations of our loyal customers,” says Blazer. 

Blazer also maintains a strong commitment to the education of area youth, having served as Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President and President of his local Optimist Clubs.  He served as President of the Morristown Plaza Merchants Association for 3 years and 3 years as Chairman for the East Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Stores Golf Tournament, the proceeds of which fund college scholarships.  In 2011, he was inducted into the Tennessee Grocers “Hall of Eagles”, in recognition of his support and dedication to the Tennessee Grocers Education Foundation.  Blazer also served on the Governor of Virginia’s Prescription Drug and Heroin Task Force Subcommittee.  He is actively involved with the American Diabetes Association as well, where he served as the 2014 Chairman for the Diabetes Step-Out Walk. 

Mickey and his wife Susan currently reside in Morristown, Tennessee.  They are the proud parents of two children and one granddaughter.

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc. currently operates 93 Food City supermarkets (including 78 pharmacies and 84 fuel/convenience stores), ten Super Dollar Discount Foods limited assortment locations and one wine & spirits store throughout Southeast Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.  For more information, visit their website at www.foodcity.com.