UNFI names Matt Echols to newly created chief corporate affairs officer role

United Natural Foods Inc. has appointed Matt Echols to the newly created position of chief corporate affairs officer. In this role, Echols has oversight of the company’s corporate communications and engagement, public policy, government relations, and environmental, social and governance teams.

Echols, who most recently has served as global vice president for public affairs, communications and sustainability at Coca-Cola Co., will join UNFI on March 1, and will report to Sandy Douglas, UNFI’s chief executive.

Under the new leadership structure, Providence, RI-based UNFI’s corporate communications and engagement, government affairs and environmental and social impact teams will come together as one team and report to Echols.

Throughout his 24 years with The Coca-Cola Company, Echols held several roles including senior vice president of public affairs, communications and sustainability for North America and a similar role in Asia Pacific based in Singapore.

Before joining Coca-Cola, Echols worked on Capitol Hill for several members of the U.S. Congress from his home state of Georgia.