Verl Bills Retires After More than 35 Years
After 35 and a half years of service, Verl Bills is retiring on Friday, April 1 from Associated Food Stores. Verl started with AFS in 1986 in Pocatello, Idaho where he spent 10 years as a buyer and head buyer of dry grocery, private label and frozen foods. When the Pocatello Division closed, Verl transferred to the Salt Lake location where he continued as a buyer and category manager for the next 25 years.
Verl has been a dedicated team member of AFS for over eight times the years an average person remains at their job, a noteworthy sign of a great team member and employer. During this time, he has made several contributions to the company that will continue to positively affect team members day to day. While in Idaho, he served on the first FoodShow committee, “Round-Up in the Rockies” and has been involved in the past 36 shows. He helped implement and train team members on the “AIMS” program as well as several other programs, including the schematic program, the Fair Share program, the Code Red program and the plus-out program.
Todd Bell shared, “It has been an honor to have Verl as part of our One Associated family over the past 35 and a half years. He has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to each position he has held throughout the years. I can speak for myself and the rest of the team when I say we are all better from having the opportunity to work with and learn from him. And additionally, we are better from knowing him personally, as he has had an impact on each of our lives. We will miss him greatly and are excited for him to start this new chapter in his life.”
Verl is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Sherrie. The two have a passion for genealogy research and are excited to spend more time working on that while traveling to areas of their ancestors. He’s also looking forward to spending more time with his kids and grandchildren. Verl said, “I have really enjoyed my time here at AFS. I see the company and team members as an extension of my family and will also always cherish my time here.”