Ten Thousand Villages names new chief executive

Dan Alonso began as chief executive officer of Ten Thousand Villages on May 1. — Ten Thousand Villages Dan Alonso began as chief executive officer of Ten Thousand Villages on May 1. — Ten Thousand Villages

A Ten Thousand Villages volunteer is now chief executive officer of the fair-trade retailer. The nonprofit company’s board of directors announced on April 14 that Dan Alonso of Mechanicsburg, Pa., began as CEO on May 1.

A graduate of Messiah University, Alonso has served as a board member of the Mechanicsburg Ten Thousand Villages Store, a member of the Board Store Council and most recently a member of the National Board.

In addition to his experience with Ten Thousand Villages, Alonso has more than 20 years of experience in retail, having served in a variety of positions with The GIANT Co. His work with GIANT focused on brand strategy, innovation, new business development, operations support and technology. Prior to GIANT, Alonso led digital marketing initiatives for three technology startups.

“I became involved in Ten Thousand Villages because of my passion to connect my vocation — retail — with my purpose: serving an organization that supports the country of my birth, Colombia,” he said. “I didn’t need to look far, as the Mechanicsburg store is one mile from our family’s home. . . . Once I began volunteering 10 years ago, I fell in love with the way the people on the board and the store staff pursued ‘business as mission.’ ”

Ten Thousand Villages U.S. connects artisans in 25 developing countries with North American shoppers through a network of 51 branded stores and more than 300 retail partners, along with an online shop.

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