Food and Consumer Package Goods Marketing Adrian Trimpe Distinguished Service Award

In 2008, Larry Pierce joined the SpartanNash team as vice president, center store merchandising. By 2014, he served as the executive vice president, merchandising and marketing for the company. In 2019, Pierce was named executive vice president of strategic initiatives.

Pierce has spent more than 40 years in the food industry. Prior to joining SpartanNash, he held various sales roles at Coca-Cola Enterprises, including vice president of sales. Previously, he served as director of grocery merchandising for Farmer Jack Supermarkets and began his career at Chatham Supermarkets in Detroit, Michigan.

Pierce has served as an integral and active member of the Western Michigan University Food Industry Advisory Board since 2015. He is currently the chair of the industry relations committee for the board, which helped drive the number of new sponsors to a record high in 2018.