Peter (Pete) O’Neal was first elected to the Unified Grocers Board of Directors in 1999. He has served as first vice chairman of the Board since 2005. Prior to being appointed to the Unified Board, Peter served on the Board of Directors of United Grocers (a predecessor company of Unified Grocers) for ten years, including serving as its chairman.
Pete is the owner and operator of four independent supermarkets including three Thriftway stores located in Estacada, Oregon, Molalla, Oregon and White Salmon, Washington. He also owns an Apple Market located in Novato, California.
Pete launched his grocery career over 40 years ago as a courtesy clerk for Tradewell Stores. He was later promoted to positions of greater responsibility including store director and Oregon district manager. As Tradewell’s Oregon district manager, Pete was responsible for 32 stores that operated as traditional or price impact formats. In 1985, Pete purchased his own Food Valu store. Since that time, he has evolved and grown his family business to its current size and store formats.
Pete has also served on the Thriftway Board of Directors and the Unified Western Grocers Regional Advisory Committee.