Southeast Texas Food Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Harvey Zernial to President
and CEO of the Southeast Texas Food Bank. Zernial is a former Board Chairman and served as a
Board Member for 15 years before joining the Food Bank as its Director of Programs in 2017.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to continue to help my neighbors in Southeast Texas
by leading a great team that already shares the same passions and goals,” Zernial said. “I
truly want to continue the growth of the food bank and assist more people in the goal of
eliminating hunger here.”
Zernial brings 40 years of experience in the Retail Grocery business, working for Market Basket,
Kroger, and HEB Grocery Company, where he retired as a General Manager of one of the largest
stores in the Houston Division. Harvey spent 8 years in HEB Supervision and 2 years in Human
Resources overseeing 28 stores in the Houston and the East Texas region before settling back
home in the HEB PLUS store in Beaumont, Texas.
“Harvey is the right leader for the Southeast Texas Food Bank,” said Damon R Vacek, Chairman
of the Board. “Harvey’s extensive background in the Retail Grocery Business and his close
working relationship with our partner agencies and donors will result in a smooth transition. The
Board and I believe his strong leadership and experience will have a substantial impact toward
achieving our mission to lead the fight against hunger in Southeast Texas.”
Along with the Food Bank, Zernial has served as a Board Member on many community
organizations such as the Young Mens Business League, Gift of Life, Beaumont Public Schools
Foundation, Lumberton Education Foundation, and the Lumberton School Health Advisory
Council.
“My mother always told me that rewards of great effort are not always in dollars, but in the
smiles and hope you may instill or give to others,” Zernial said. “These types of rewards are
the ones that define me and possibly create the biggest change both in my life and those
impacted by my efforts.”
Zernial has been married to his wife Alejandra (Alex) for 33 years and has three beautiful
children in Abby (32), Emily (29), and Zach (27) with one grandchild Rylan (13) who all still
live in their hometown of Lumberton.
