Gordon Food Service Announces Two New Executive Appointments

November 17, 2025. Gordon Food Service announced today two new executive appointments. Kara Gordon-Warren, currently President of U.S. Distribution, will become the company’s Chief Strategy Officer, while continuing in her role as Vice Chair of the company’s board of directors. Tommy Gordon, currently General Manager of the Great Lakes Central Division, and also a member of the company’s board, will succeed Kara as President of U.S. Distribution. Both appointments will be effective February 1, 2026.

Gordon-Warren and Gordon are the most senior members of the fifth generation of the Gordon family to serve in the leadership of Gordon Food Service.

In the new role of Chief Strategy Officer, Gordon-Warren will continue as a member of the North American Senior Leadership Team reporting to CEO Rich Wolowski. Wolowski said, “Kara will lead our enterprise strategy efforts in partnership with Vice President Mandy Tahnoven, advance corporate development initiatives, and ensure execution of our strategies across the business.”

As President of U.S. Distribution, Gordon will join the North American Leadership Team and report to Wolowski who said, “Tommy will have comprehensive responsibility for the strategy, plans, execution, and results of our U.S. Distribution Business. He will work closely with our Regional Vice Presidents and the other senior leadership team members who will report to him.”

Kara Gordon-Warren graduated from Taylor University and worked for a Christian publishing company in Chicago. She joined Gordon Food Service in 2003 in sales and has held multiple roles, including category management, eBusiness, and marketing. She served as General Manager of the Florida Division before being appointed President of U.S. Distribution. She joined the company’s board of directors in 2016.

Tommy Gordon graduated from Hope College and worked for nonprofit organizations in Colorado. He joined Gordon Food Service in sales in 2015. He helped build Relish Works, then led development of the company’s digital capabilities before being appointed General Manager of the Great Lakes Central Division. He joined the company’s board of directors in 2019.

Gordon Food Service, headquartered in Wyoming MI, is North America’s largest family- controlled food distributor, founded in 1897 and providing a wide range of food products and services to restaurants, schools, hospitals, and other organizations, as well as operating over 170 Gordon Food Stores serving foodservice and retail customers.