Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Appoints Acting Executive Director to Oversee the Agency's Day-to-Day Operations

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During its meeting today, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board unanimously approved the appointment of John E. Metzger as the acting executive director of the agency, filling a vacancy created when former CEO Joe Conti retired in Feb. 2013.

In naming Metzger, the Board changed the title from chief executive officer to executive director.  In his new role, Metzger will be responsible for directing the administrative and business operations of the agency and the management of the executive team.  He will provide leadership and strategic planning recommendations for agency initiatives and be a conduit to the Board.

Since 2010, John Metzger has been the PLCB's supply chain director. 

"As chairman of the board, I want to thank John for taking on this new role while, for the time being, continuing his current duties," said Joseph. E. Brion, PLCB chairman. "The Board will continue to be very actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the agency.  However, having an executive director will allow us time to focus on the larger policy issues facing the Liquor Control Board in the months ahead."

"I appreciate the Board giving me this opportunity," Metzger said. "I'm looking forward to working with the great team we have in place to continue to improve efficiencies within the agency and service to consumers."  

As the PLCB's director of supply chain, Metzger lead the implementation of a new bailment warehouse inventory system that saved the commonwealth more than $100 million in inventory costs.  In addition, he is responsible for improving product forecasting, in-stock levels at Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores and the warehouses and streamlining overall warehouse operations.

Prior to joining the PLCB, John Metzger was the executive vice president of administration for Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, an $11 billion grocery retailer with more than 700 stores in the U.S. and Canada.  He was responsible for restructuring the company and simplifying processes to reduce the company's overhead by more than $70 million in one year, reduced supply and logistics expenses by $40 million and successfully led the company's return to business following Hurricane Katrina.  Metzger began his career with Nabisco Foods Group before moving on to Darden Restaurants, the operator of Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Bahama Breeze restaurants; CS Integrated LLC-ProLogis Trust; and Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company.

Metzger was a visiting professor at the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Logistics from Penn State University and went on to get his MBA at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., graduating first in his class.

"When we hired John Metzger a little more than three years ago, we knew he would be an incredibly valuable asset to the Board because of his extensive knowledge of supply chain management," said PLCB Board Member Robert S. Marcus. "With his retail business experience and leadership abilities, I have no doubt he will be very successful leading the agency and increasing revenue to benefit the General Fund."

"John is very well respected among his colleagues at the agency and in the business community," said Tim Holden, PLCB board member. "He is perfectly suited for this new role, and I look forward to working with him as we move forward."

The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol and also operates more than 600 Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores statewide. Taxes and store profits are returned to Pennsylvania's General Fund.  For more information about the Liquor Control Board, visit www.lcb.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Stacy Kriedeman, 717-783-8864

SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board