Steven Jones, who served as an assistant manager of the Halls Food City store in 2005. He has moved up in the company, most recently serving as manager of the new Pigeon Forge Food City, and now has been promoted to district manager for the company’s westernmost district in the Knoxville operating division.

In his new role, Jones will direct operations for 11 Food City stores across Campbell, Roane, Anderson, Cumberland, Loudon, Rhea and soon-to-be Putnam counties.

“I could not ask for a better company,” he said of Food City, “and I’m proud to be joining the senior leadership. I look forward to working with the store teams throughout my district to provide the best possible service to our loyal customers and the communities we serve.”

Jones brings 22 years of industry experience to the new position. He worked his way from courtesy clerk to cashier to perishable stocker, assistant produce manager and produce manager. He was promoted to Food City store manager at Bearden in 2015 and later was manager at the original Pigeon Forge store. He helped open and manage the new store on Teaster Lane.

Jones is a graduate of Jefferson County High School in Dandridge and attends Shady Baptist Church in Strawberry Plains, where his father serves as pastor. He and his wife, Maraya, live near Ruggles Ferry at the Knox/Sevier county line. They are the proud parents of children Crayten, Braygen, Anistyn and Caragyn.

“I’ve enjoyed watching Steven grow as a leader in our company over the years, as he has taken on different challenges and excelled at them. Our company is only successful when our people are successful and we’re very excited to have Steven lead District 8 for Food City,” says Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.

Bass Tournament is Saturday. We are expecting some great fun and, hopefully, some pictures for you next week.

Deals for Days: Ready for that first cookout of the season? We’ve got all the ingredients at great prices. Food City_4.23 Knox ROP

Betsi James is special events manager for Food City’s Knoxville and Chattanooga divisions. Tammy Baumgardner, senior manager of public relations, contributed to this report.