Move reflects focus on developing and advancing talent

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General has promoted eight executives to new roles, in a move the company said reflects its commitment to providing opportunities for people to move up.

“We prioritize employee growth and development because it allows us to live our mission of Serving Others in the communities we call home,” Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said, adding that it is also in keeping with the company’s fourth operating priority — “Investing in Our Diverse Teams through Development, Empowerment and Inclusion.”

Rod West has been promoted to senior vice president, distribution. He joined DG in 2005 as vice president of process improvement where he led initiatives in finance, merchandising, store operations and supply chain, the company said. In 2019, West took on the role of vice president of perishables growth and development, leading the DG Fresh initiative from concept through design and implementation. Before that West played vital roles in several key initiatives in procurement, the company’s “Save to Serve” cost reduction initiative and the on-shelf availability initiative in retail. West also led Dollar General’s African American employee resource group (AAERG) as executive sponsor from 2010 to 2013.

Melissa Heisse has been promoted to vice president of lease administration. Heisse has risen through a series of roles with increasing responsibility, serving most recently served as senior director, lease administration. In that position Heisse led the lease renewal rent reduction initiative since its inception more than 10 years ago.  She also leads asset strategy planning and, as well as ensuring compliance with all lease requirements.

Angela Martin has been promoted to vice president, customer insights and branding. Her continued duties include leading customer insights and branding efforts. With more than 30 years of DG experience, Angela is a proven leader who brings a strong passion and intimate knowledge of the brand, the company said. She continues to create insights into both the retail landscape, as well as the evolving needs and wants of DG customers.

Shareeka Meadows has been promoted to vice president, division merchandise manager. She has been instrumental in the success of the apparel division since joining DG in 2012.  Her work in the past year includes providing customers and employees alike with access to PPE during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Meadows also recently served on the company’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, which was responsible for updating the Company’s fourth operating priority, and currently serves as president for DG’s African American Employee Resource Group (AAERG).

Nick Snow has been promoted to vice president, decision science and analytics. In this role, Snow will be responsible for analytical and decision-making support within various internal departments. This responsibility will include behavioral science, pricing strategy, macro trend and forecasting analytics for the organization. Since 2004, Snow has held various roles of increasing responsibility within various functions of the business.

Denine Torr has been promoted to vice president, corporate social responsibility/philanthropy. She brings more than 20 years of DG and corporate philanthropy experience to the position. Torr conceptualized and created the Employee Assistance Foundation (DGEAF), which has awarded more than $10 million in financial assistance to co-workers during their time of need since its inception in 2005. She also helped the Dollar General Literacy Foundation grow from an externally handled Foundation with annual grant distributions of $250,000 to an actively managed foundation with over $16 million in distributions as of 2020. Torr currently serves as chairperson of the board for Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation and on the board of directors for the American Indian College Fund and the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. In addition to her philanthropic responsibilities, Denine will be responsible for the coordination of Dollar General’s social responsibility activities and initiatives, as well as the annual Serving Others Report and other related disclosures.

Jeff Vaughan has stepped into the role of vice president, channel innovation. Vaughan joined Dollar General in 2012 as a demand chain management analyst. Since that time, he has tackled roles of increased responsibility, most recently as vice president and merchandise manager in consumables.

Pooh Vichidvongsa has been promoted to vice president, division merchandise manager. During her 13-year tenure, Pooh has held a variety of roles of growing responsibility. She started her DG career as a pricing analyst and most recently helped drive the success of DG’s Non-Consumables Initiative (NCI).