John Nardini leaves food industry to take the lead at ‘extraordinary Christian company focused on giving hope’

Mardel Christian & Education has named John Nardini the chain’s new president. Having assumed his new post Aug. 19, Nardini brings a breadth of knowledge and expertise from more than 20 years in the Christian and retail industries.

Mart Green, owner and CEO of Mardel, is “delighted” to see Nardini at the helm. 

“He comes with a lot of passion and dedication to the Christian retail industry and is known as a thoughtful leader, recognized for his ability to prioritize opportunities for growth and direct strategic business initiatives,” Green said.

Nardini will be based at Mardel’s headquarters in Oklahoma City. 

“I am honored to work for an extraordinary Christian company focused on giving hope to people every day,” Nardini said. “I look forward to growing the Mardel brand and its products to meet the needs of families and educators across the U.S.”

Nardini comes to Mardel from Denali Flavors, a leading inventor and marketer of premium ice cream flavors, where he served as executive vice president of marketing for more than nine years. Prior to his work at Denali, Nardini held roles of increasing responsibility at Family Christian Stores for seven years, including vice president of marketing and senior vice president of marketing. He joined Family Christian from EMI CMG (now Capital Christian Music Group), where he led the marketing and sales departments as vice president of marketing for four and a half years. Before working with EMI, he was product manager for HJ Heinz and brand assistant for Proctor & Gamble.

Nardini holds a masters in business administration from Purdue University and a bachelor of science in business administration and economics from Culver-Stockton College.

Jason Green served as president at Mardel for eight years before leaving in early 2012 to become president of Baptist Medical & Dental Mission International in Hattiesburg, Miss. His departure led to a more active role for CEO Mart Green, who took on the presidency for an interim period before Nardini was hired. 

Mardel operates 35 stores in seven states with more than 800 employees.

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