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Heritage Grocers Group said it has named Leticia G. Espinoza as its new chief administrative officer, the latest in a string of new hires at the Hispanic-focused group.
Espinoza, who joined the company’s Cardenas Markets banner in 2019 as general counsel and corporate secretary, most recently was chief legal and human resources officer for Heritage Group. In her new role, Espinoza will oversee real estate, loss prevention, corporate affairs, communications, legal, risk management, and human resources across all Heritage banner companies, which include Cardenas Markets, Tony’s Fresh Market, and El Rancho Supermercado. The Ontario, Calif.-based company operates 104 locations in six states across the Southwest and Midwest.
In the seven months since Heritage Grocers named Kroger and PCC Community Markets veteran Suzy Monford as the company’s new chairman and CEO, Heritage has filled several top management roles, including naming Frank Ingraffia to the newly created role of chief transformation officer, tapping Allison Garcia to be group VP of marketing, naming Kim Cates as group VP of center store, and promoting Matthew Holt to be chief financial officer.
“Our recent appointments underscore our continued commitment to strengthening leadership and enhancing organizational efficiency across key areas of the business,” a Heritage spokesperson told Supermarket News. “Additionally, as HGG advances its innovation and growth initiatives, we’re also recruiting top merchandising and marketing talent to support this strategic momentum.”
Before joining Cardenas Markets in 2019, Espinoza gained extensive in-house legal experience at both public and privately owned companies, including two years as associate general counsel at Bodega Latina Corp., which is now part of Chedraui USA, parent of the El Super and Fiesta Mart chains. She previously had spent several years in a variety of legal and HR roles at other companies and as a consultant, according to her LinkedIn profile.
“Leticia’s appointment is a reflection of her exceptional leadership, deep expertise, and dedication to our people and mission,” Monford said. “Her impact as chief legal and human resources officer has been instrumental in strengthening our organization, and this expanded role is a well-earned recognition of her contributions.”
Espinoza is also a recipient of the Professional Achievement Award from the Mexican American Bar Foundation, which Heritage said is “a testament to her leadership in the legal field and commitment to community service, particularly in ways that uplift the Hispanic community.”
Espinoza also serves on the boards of directors of the Cardenas Markets Foundation, Heritage Grocers Group Foundation, Manos y Corazones Unidos Foundation, Olive Crest Roundtable, and the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance.
