The City Market co-op has hired a new general manager. John Tashiro, the interim CEO at 1% for the Planet, will replace Pat Burns, who announced his retirement earlier this year after seven years in the position.

Tashiro has also worked at the FairTrade Foundation and at Coca Cola, according to his LinkedIn profile. 

“He was a standout candidate in terms of his leadership potential, his character and his track record in a variety of different settings,” said Rachel Jolly, who chairs the City Market board of directors. She said the search committee, which interviewed four finalists, was impressed with Tashiro's background in retail sales and branding. Jolly also noted that he has experience managing a wide array of projects. 

Tashiro, who could not immediately be reached for comment, has a bachelor’s degree in international business and economics from Sophia University in Japan. 

He'll take the reins of the grocery cooperative at an interesting time. City Market is thriving, and boasts $38 million in sales and roughly 10,000 members. It's always had just a single store in downtown Burlington. Now the co-op, nearly half a century old, is hoping to open a second store in the South End. It is also considering opening a smaller, bodega-like store elsewhere.

Tashiro starts July 1.