Peter Larkin, former president and CEO of the California Grocers Association (CGA), will become president and CEO of the National Grocers Association (NGA), Chris Coborn, president and CEO of Coborn’s, Inc. and the Arlington, Va.-based trade group’s chairman of the board. Larkin succeeds Tom Zaucha, who will retire June 30.

“Peter Larkin possesses the industry knowledge, professional association experience, leadership skills and passion to lead NGA to the next level of excellence,” said Coborn. With his strong industry background in government relations, Peter fervently believes in the unique role that independent retailers play in serving the consumer and is passionately committed to our future."

Before starting his own government relations consulting firm in 2008, Larkin was the president and CEO of the Sacramento-based CGA. He was the chief legislative advocate, chief liaison with related regional and national associations, and chief media spokesman for the organization. His other responsibilities included overseeing the association’s annual convention, educational programs, publications, member services and human resources. Larkin was also the president of the CGA Educational Foundation and an officer of the California Shopping Cart Retrieval Corp. (a for-profit subsidiary of CGA).

Prior to joining the CGA, Larkin was VP of state government relations and environmental affairs for Food Marketing Institute (FMI) in Washington. His retail experience also includes managing government and media relations programs for the Cincinnati-based Kroger Co.