After more than 15 years of significant contributions to our company, Mark Eriks, Chief People Officer, has elected to retire from Gordon Food Service in February of 2022. But we are delighted to share that, effective February 7, Khumbo Croft will be promoted to Chief People Officer as his successor. Khumbo will join the NASLT at that time.
Mark joined Gordon Food Service as Senior Manager of HR in 2006. In 2010, he joined the Canada senior leadership team as Vice President of Strategic Alliances and became North American President of Strategic Alliances in 2013. In 2016, Mark was appointed as our first Chief Supply Chain Officer. During his time with Gordon Food Service, Mark has provided invaluable strategic leadership while collaborating across all areas of the business. Mark has led many important initiatives, including the development of our competency model, the acquisition and integration of Halperns’, leading Project Heritage, and the creation of our Supply Chain Center of Excellence (COE). In 2019, he was named Chief People Officer, postponing his retirement plans to support Gordon Food Service in this important position at a pivotal time for our company. Even though he will be retiring from Gordon Food Service, we will continue to benefit from Mark’s knowledge and experience as he provides support on several special projects on a contracted basis.
Khumbo currently serves as our North American Director – Talent Development, Diversity and Engagement. After spending several years in the financial consulting sector, Khumbo joined Gordon Food Service in 2010 as an internal audit specialist. She held several leadership roles within HR, with escalating levels of responsibility and scope. During her time at Gordon Food Service, Khumbo has built best-in-class human resource solutions and processes from creation through execution. From implementing equitable hiring processes, to creative approaches to retention, to a thorough strategic design and execution of the Strengthen Culture Must Win Battle, Khumbo brings broad and deep experience to this role. Her teams are consistently well known for a high degree of professionalism, superior customer service and operational excellence.
Khumbo is also a strong ambassador for Gordon Food Service in the local community. Her involvement includes board membership at United Way, Goodwill and the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology (WMCAT). Additionally, she is a committee member at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and is co-chair of the IFDA Diversity Committee. Previously, she was a fellow with the Michigan Political Leadership Program, recipient of the YMCA Tribute Award, and the 2019 Grand Rapids Business Journal Top 40 Under 40 Award. She lives in Rockford with her husband and two children. She enjoys traveling and trying out new restaurants.
Please join us in wishing Mark all the best in his well-earned retirement, and in congratulating Khumbo as she steps into this new leadership role.
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