Awards

Kelley School of Business Academy of Alumni Fellows - 2009

About David L. Bere

David L. Beré is president and chief strategy officer of Dollar General Corporation, a leading discount retailer with over 8,000 stores and $10 billion in sales.

Mr. Beré was named president and chief operating officer of Dollar General Corporation in December of 2006 after serving on its Board of Directors since 2002. Upon completion of KKR's (a major private equity firm) acquisition of Dollar General in July 2007, Dave was named interim chief executive officer and a member of the Board of Directors. After a permanent chief executive officer was named in January 2008, Dave was named president and chief strategy officer.

From 1998-2005, Beré was president and chief executive officer of Bakery Chef, a leading manufacturer and marketer of frozen bakery products. Bakery Chef was initially owned by Value-Added Bakery Holding Co. (VABCO), a partnership formed in 1998 by Beré and Wind Point Partners, a private equity investment firm. VABCO sold the company to Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. in December 2003. Upon completion of the acquisition, Beré remained chief executive officer of Bakery Chef and was named corporate vice president of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc.

From 1996-98, Beré was president and chief executive officer of McCain Foods USA, a manufacturer and marketer of frozen potato, appetizer and pizza products.

From 1978-95, Beré worked at The Quaker Oats Co., where he was president of the Breakfast Division (1992-95) and president of Golden Grain (Rice-A-Roni, Noodle-Roni, Ghirardelli Chocolates) from 1990-92. Prior to 1990, he held various brand marketing positions at Quaker Oats.

In 1983, Beré was granted a one year leave of absence from Quaker Oats after he was selected a White House Fellow by President Ronald Reagan.

Beré currently is chairman of the Board of Trustees of Fuller Theological Seminary and is a member of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business Dean's Advisory Council. He received a BA in political science and an MBA from Indiana University. Beré and his wife Karen reside in Hinsdale, Ill., and they have three grown children.