Empower Fresh Co. appoints president and CEO

Kansas City, Mo.-based Empower Fresh Co. has named Robert Austin as president and CEO.

Austin has been with the company since its inception and has served in many roles, such as senior vice president of sales. His appointment to CEO is one of many new moves the company is making as it looks to optimize its structure to better prepare for significant customer growth in 2025 due to demand, according to a news release.

Austin is a second-generation produce professional and the son of Dave Austin, who was instrumental in the wholesale produce market in the Midwest while general manager for Kansas City-based Pisciotta Fruits and Vegetables.

“One thing my dad understood and always reminded me of was everything is and should be about the relationship you have with your customers and community,” Austin said. “It’s the very same thing I love most about Empower Fresh. We get to sell relationships, not just products or services. It’s what independent grocers need today more than ever. Watching (and working with) these third- and fourth-generation families hold up their corner of their small town gets me excited.”

Growing up in Kansas City, Austin spent his early days working as a teenager at Pisciotta’s in the river market downtown, the company said.

“I’m pretty sure I wasn’t old enough, technically, to work,” Austin said jokingly. “But my ‘uncle’ Phil [Pisciotta] told me that if I was old enough to want, I was old enough to work, so I took anything he would throw at me for a couple summers.”

While in high school, Austin moved on to work in the produce department at Picture Hills Bob’s IGA, where he learned the retail side and enjoyed the time spent on the floor with his customers, the release said.

“That was my favorite part,” Austin said. “Visiting with the folks on the floor while stocking, etc. It’s what’s missing today, sadly.”

After several more years of managing the warehouse at night and brokering onions and potatoes across the Midwest, Austin ultimately went into business for himself in the IT sector, the release said. He has spent the last 15 years serving small-to medium-sized businesses in and around Kansas City and beyond for Tech Express.

Austin brings experience not only in produce and retail, but also over a decade of providing technology services and support to small businesses. The company said he presents a unique skill set and experience level that will assist Empower Fresh to move into the next phase of its existence.

“I couldn’t be more excited for anything as I am for 2025 at Empower Fresh,” Austin said. “We have worked our tail off, as a small team, the last couple of years to make sure we are delivering the maximum results for each one of our customers today and always. We are experiencing growth, have expanded the team, have new leadership in place and are making a difference for our retailer partners every day.”

Empower Fresh said 2025 seems like it will be a busy year, adding that not only does it have a full schedule of new customers to onboard, but it also plans to be at many of the industry shows this year, hoping to connect with as many people as it can.

“We are excited to exhibit NGA, Grocery Shop and a few of the other big shows this coming year,” Austin said. “We’ve been so busy in the lab, grinding with our early adopters, we haven’t had a chance to get out and see everybody. Can’t wait to see everyone.”