Hubert Company and Central Restaurant Products hired foodservice industry veteran Rodney Bridgers to serve as vice president of merchandising.

In his new role, Bridgers’ areas of responsibilities include vendor relationships, expanding the dealers’ product assortment, and inventory management. No stranger to the foodservice industry, Bridgers' career spans more than 30 years and he previously served as vice president of supply chain for TriMark USA.

Although they go to market under separate brand names, Central and Hubert are owned by the same company and late last year they announced plans to centralize some business functions.