Josue (Josh) Padilla has joined Gerrity's Supermarkets in Pennsylvania as coordinator of produce and floral operations.

In this new role, he will be "prominently involved in designing and implementing strategies and programs that expand and improve Gerrity's produce and floral operations," he said. "It will also allow me more autonomy and latitude to build committed and beneficial partnerships that bring value and memorable experiences to our customers. With that being said, I have already begun brainstorming exciting new ideas."

Gerrity's Supermarkets, which traces its roots back to 1895, currently has nine stores, all in northeastern Pennsylvania. The stores serve a variety of customers and a mix of demographics, depending on the location, Padilla told The Produce News just before Thanksgiving. Its headquarters is in Scranton, the sixth-largest city in the state.

Padilla, 38, previously spent five years at Alpha 1 Marketing in White Plains, NY, where he was also coordinator of produce and floral operations. He left that company around mid-September.

Padilla, who has relocated to Clark's Summit, PA, which is northwest of Scranton, began his new position at Gerrity's Supermarkets on Monday, Dec. 3.