International Cheese Technology Expo 2018

Russ Blake

DPI Specialty Foods


Russ Blake is a customer-focused, results-oriented sales executive with expertise in multi-state operations, resource management, team building and merchandising management. Russ has developed a broad understanding of the retail grocery/wholesale distribution industry from both a retailer and distributor perspective. Throughout his career Russ has utilized his skills in strategic business planning, profit and loss management and market analysis to capture market share and enhance profits. He is a dynamic leader to whom people gravitate naturally. His ability to form quick, strong relations is a great asset for DPI in building sustainable business relationships. Russ currently serves as President & Chief Commercial Officer for DPI Specialty Foods. He has direct responsibility and oversight of the Marketing, Sales and Procurement functions. Under Russ’s leadership DPI Specialty Foods has achieved significant growth by partnering with existing customers to form strategies and solutions to grow their market share, by fostering relationships and onboarding new customers and by continuing to build DPI’s name in the marketplace as being the specialty foods distributor that is customer focused, flexible and experts in the marketplace. Prior to joining DPI Specialty Foods, Russ spent twenty-two years with Albertsons where he served in several leadership roles in six different divisions across 19 western states. His roles included Unit Manager, Corporate Category Manager of Specialty Foods and Division Sales Manager where he was responsible for growing market share through top line sales, delivering operational targets and achieving quarterly profitability. Russ’ experience as a leader within the retail grocery sector provides DPI with unique insight into the customer business model and helps to provide clarity around customer business strategy.

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