Jim Lavender, EVP, Retiring From Ben E. Keith Foods

Jim Lavender, Executive VP of Purchasing & National Accounts for Ben E. Keith Foods, is retiring Sept. 30.

According to the company’s news release, he began work for the company 43 years ago in Dallas. In time, he transferred to the Fort Worth, Texas, foods division as a sales representative.

Since then he has held positions in Sales, Purchasing and Operations in the division. In 1989, Jim assumed the position of Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and has since been named the Executive Vice President of Purchasing and National Accounts.

He served as a board member of the Markon Cooperative and Distribution Market Advantage for nearly 20 years. Lavender served multiple terms as board chair for both organizations. He also was a board member for the Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation.

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