Brown & Cole gets new name, CEO

DAVE GALLAGHER

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Brown & Cole Stores continues to make significant changes, including a new CEO and a new company name.

Kevin Weatherill has assumed the role of president and CEO of The Markets LLC, formerly known as Brown & Cole LLC. Weatherill is taking over for Craig Cole, who is retiring after 22 years of leading the supermarket chain.

Weatherill, formerly the company's chief operating officer, has worked in a variety of roles in the food industry, including at Brown & Cole from 1985 to 2000. Before rejoining Brown & Cole in 2006, he was the CEO of Bornstein Seafoods and also opened Whatcom Falls Mini-Mart and Deli on Electric Avenue.

Weatherill will have plenty to do as the company continues to change after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year. He already has overseen the company changing suppliers from Western Family to SuperValu and is now beginning work to revamp The Markets' 20 stores across the state. The company also has started work to open a new store at Birch Bay Square.

Brown & Cole was able to emerge from bankruptcy when Hancock Park Associates of Los Angeles became a major stakeholder.

"There is a lot of momentum taking place within the company right now," Weatherill said. "Even before (the bankruptcy), this company suffered years of financial stress, making it difficult for everyone, especially the employees. With new investment, there is a lot of enthusiasm around here."

Customers also will see a name change at the local stores in the coming months. The company is still working to secure a name, and once they do it will first go on the new store at Birch Bay Square. Eventually, that name will be on all the Whatcom County Cost Cutter and Food Pavilion stores.

Craig Cole, 58, plans to focus his time on public service activities, including work on the University of Washington Board of Regents, a group he will chair this fall. Cole will remain on the company's board of directors and manage other private interests.

"The transition has been a smooth one, and I'm glad to see where things are going," Cole said. "I've been doing this for a long time, so this company is ready for new vision and energy, something that Kevin has plenty of."

Weatherill said his top priority is the company's renewal, through both the stores and its management team. He believes customers will see new, unique features they haven't seen before in this area.

"We have a lot more resources at our disposal, so our challenge is making sure we make changes that our customers want," Weatherill said. "I grew up with this company, and I feel great about where it is going."