Experienced grocery leader to assume role January 1, 2026, following planned retirement of C.E. Pugh.
St. Paul, Minn. — National Co+op Grocers (NCG), the business services cooperative for 167 retail food co-ops nationwide, has selected Tandy Harvey as the organization’s next chief executive officer, following a months-long planned succession process. Harvey will officially assume the role on January 1, 2026, succeeding CEO C.E. Pugh, who will retire at the end of the year.
Harvey brings more than 30 years of wholesale and retail food industry experience, including senior leadership roles at SuperValu and UNFI. Known for her people-first leadership style, Harvey has built her career championing employee engagement and fostering a collaborative environment.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tandy as NCG’s next CEO,” said Sarah Christensen, Board President, National Co+op Grocers. “Throughout a rigorous national search, Tandy impressed us with her strong background, her understanding of the grocery landscape and her clear passion for the cooperative model. The board has full confidence in her ability to guide NCG into its next chapter.”
Harvey has already begun working closely with Pugh and the NCG leadership team to support a smooth transition.
“I am grateful, humbled and excited to lead NCG and continue the co-op mission of community, connection and shared purpose,” said Harvey. “I’m excited to partner with NCG’s talented staff and member co-ops to build on the organization’s strengths and help shape the future of cooperative grocery.”
Pugh, who has served as NCG’s CEO since 2018, had previously announced plans to conclude a decades-long career in the cooperative grocery sector at the end of 2025.
“We are deeply grateful for C.E.’s steady leadership and his unwavering commitment to the cooperative movement,” said Christensen. “His impact on NCG and our members will be felt for years to come.”
About National Co+op Grocers
National Co+op Grocers (NCG), founded in 1999, is a business services cooperative for retail food co-ops located throughout the United States. NCG helps unify food co-ops in order to optimize operational and marketing resources, strengthen purchasing power, and ultimately offer more value to natural food co-op owners and shoppers everywhere.
NCG's 167 member co-ops operate more than 242 storefronts in 39 states with combined annual sales of nearly $2.5 billion. NCG is a winner of the dotCoop Global Awards for Cooperative Excellence and a Certified B Corp.
Learn more about NCG and find a map of member co-ops at grocery.coop.
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Media inquiries may be directed to Kate Joachim, kjoachim@curiousplot.agency, (414) 213-7474.