"I always believed the best leaders earn results by first earning trust. I spent more time in my stores than most district managers because I believed relationships, coaching, and accountability were the foundation of sustained performance."
JUSTIN OGBURN RESUME
EXECUTIVE HIGHLIGHTS
•Directed merchandising strategy for a $4.4B grocery division spanning 124 retail locations.
•Evaluated thousands of emerging products, vendor presentations, and category innovations throughout a 30-year grocery career.
•Successfully guided emerging brands from concept to retail placement, including placement of ADDY into Fry’s and Circle K.
•Built executive relationships across grocery retail, consumer packaged goods, manufacturing, logistics and advisory services.
•Led executive transition and operational transformation of a $100M nonprofit organization.
•Founded and scaled multiple businesses while advising entrepreneurs on commercialization, retail readiness and growth strategy.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Executive leader with more than 35 years of experience driving growth across grocery retail, merchandising, business development, product innovation, and organizational leadership.
Recognized for building high-performing teams, leading multi-billion-dollar business units, developing strategic partnerships, and helping organizations identify opportunities for sustainable growth. Experience evaluating consumer trends, launching emerging brands, strengthening executive relationships, and guiding organizations through transformation.
Known for connecting strategy with execution, whether leading large-scale retail operations, advising founders on bringing products to market, or partnering with executive teams to accelerate business performance.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Head of Marketing & Business Development
Ensign Partners | January 2026 – Present
- Lead marketing and business development strategy for a consulting firm focused on small and mid-sized businesses, driving growth through strategic positioning and client acquisition.
- Advise business owners and executive teams on growth strategy, market positioning, and go-to-market execution across diverse industries.
- Identify growth patterns and market opportunities across client organizations to provide strategic recommendations and revenue development.
- Partner with founders and leadership teams to refine offerings, align with market demand, and improve scalability.
Vice President of Sales
Titus Transport | November 2023 – December 2025
- Led national sales strategy for a logistics provider serving major grocery and retail clients, driving revenue growth through strategic partnerships and expanded account penetration.
- Built and maintained executive-level relationships with key retail and CPG partners, strengthening position within complex supply chains.
- Identified new market opportunities and aligned sales strategy with evolving customer needs across retail and consumer goods sectors.
- Collaborated cross-functionally to align operational capabilities with customer demand and long-term growth strategy.
Founder & Principal Advisor Emerging Brands & Retail Strategy
Mad Men Enterprises & Independent Consulting 2021 – Present
- Advise emerging consumer product brands on go-to-market strategy, guiding products from concept through retail readiness and market entry.
- Leverage extensive grocery retail network to connect founders with decision-makers across merchandising and category management.
- Provide strategic guidance on packaging, pricing, positioning, and distribution to align products with retail requirements and consumer demand.
- Facilitated retail placement of ADDY, a natural green coffee supplement, into Fry's Food Stores locations across Arizona and Circle K stores.
- Secured executive-level exposure for Vital Body with Nestle Corporation and The Coca-Cola Company, positioning the brand for potential large-scale distribution opportunities.
- Currently advising CocoLove, a coconut water beverage brand, on retail strategy and market entry
- Supported multiple early-stage brands (Craft tails, Martini Mates, Beyond Stone, Mesh Tech, PX40/40, Vital Body, ADDY) in developing retail readiness and go-to-market strategy.
President / Chief Administrative Officer
Copa Health | 2017 – 2019
- Led operations for a $100M organization, driving process improvement, cost reduction, and organizational performance.
- Reduced overtime expense by 64%, generating $1.6M in annual savings.
- Led strategic initiatives to optimize organizational structure, real estate assets, and operational efficiency.
Fry’s Food Stores (Kroger) | 1989 – 2017
Director – Grocery & Liquor 2006 – 2010, 2013 – 2014
- Evaluated thousands of products, vendor presentations, and emerging brands throughout a 28-year retail career.
- Led merchandising strategy across 119 stores, overseeing a $4.4B P&L and driving category growth and profitability.
- Developed and implemented merchandising innovations that increased sales by $630K and improved profitability.
- Collaborated cross-functionally to align product assortment with customer demand and market trends.
Director of Business Development 2010 – 2013
- Designed and implemented customer and associate engagement strategies, improving overall satisfaction and participation across the division.
- Directed product assortment decisions supporting more than $4.4B in annual sales.
- Partnered with manufacturers and brokers to identify innovative products aligned with evolving consumer trends.
- Developed innovative merchandising concepts that enhanced customer experience and drove measurable sales growth.
District Manager 2002 – 2006, 2014 – 2017
- Managed operations across 20+ stores generating approximately $1B in annual sales.
- Led large-scale teams and executed merchandising and operational strategies across the district.
EDUCATION
Business Management & Organizational Leadership
College of William & Mary
Leadership Development
Executive Education
Cornell University