Leadership
Kirk Purnell, General Manager
Kirk started with Ben E. Keith in 1984, at the Fort Worth Division. He began in the warehouse and held a position in customer service prior to becoming a District Sales Representative, which he served in for five years. He was promoted and worked as a District Sales Manager for two years before transferring to the Little Rock Division where he purchased frozen foods and meat. Kirk was then promoted to General Manager of the Oklahoma Division in 1993. Kirk is a graduate from Mississippi State University with a degree in Marketing.
Nolen Cleaves, Assistant General Manager
Nolen, attended Oklahoma State University, and began his career with Ben E. Keith in October of 1995, as a District Sales Representative. He was promoted to a District Sales Manager in 1998, and then promoted to his current position of Assistant General Manager in 2004.
Michael Powers, Assistant General Manager
Michael Powers is a native of Oklahoma City. He earned a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma, and Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. Michael began his career with Ben E. Keith as a District Sales Representative in 1999. He was promoted to District Sales Manager in 2001 and then Assistant General Manager in 2007.
Terry Stephens, Director of Purchasing
Terry attended the University of Oklahoma and started with Ben E. Keith in 1998, as a District Sales Representative. Nine months later he was promoted to a District Sales Manager and a year later he assumed the position of Frozen and Refrigerated Meat Purchasing Manager. In 2003, he was once again promoted to his current position of Director of Purchasing.
Greg Smith, Operations Manager
Greg started with Ben E. Keith in 2000, with 25 years of experience in the food service distribution industry. He began as a Night Warehouse Manager and was promoted to Operations Manager in 2001. Greg attended East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.
Barry Cook, Director of Marketing
Barry joined Ben E. Keith in 1988, with 22 years of previous experience in the food service industry. He started as a District Sales Manager and has since filled positions as a Produce Buyer, Frozen Foods Department Manager, and most currently the Director of Marketing. Barry graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design and a Masters Degree in Architecture.
Leslie Farha, Human Resources Manager
Leslie began her career with Ben E. Keith in 2005, from the acquisition of the former F&E Wholesale Grocery, Inc. in Wichita, Kanasas. She earned her Bachelors in Human Resources Management from Friends University, Wichita, Kansas and in 2003 earned her Senior Professional in Human Resources certification.
Debbie Sparks, Credit Manager
Debbie joined Ben E. Keith in 2001, with 17 years of experience in the credit industry. She graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State with a Bachelor’s in Finance.
Don Essary, Information Systems Support Manager
Don joined Ben E. Keith in 1999, as the Information Systems Manager for the Oklahoma City Division. He has over 20 years of experience in the technical arena. Don graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1988 with a Bachelors in Journalism/Television Production.
