Clifton Brown is a seasoned executive and visionary in the realm of retail construction and development, recognized for his deep operational insight and transformative leadership across some of the nation’s most recognized grocery and retail chains. With over three decades of progressively senior experience, he has demonstrated an exceptional ability to lead multi-billion-dollar capital projects while fostering innovation, compliance, and efficiency at scale.
Currently serving as Vice President of Construction & Development at The Fresh Market, Clifton leads a team of eighteen professionals tasked with overseeing the design and execution of new store builds, remodels, and minor capital improvements. With an annual budget of approximately $150 million, he ensures that every project not only aligns with strategic goals but also reflects the brand’s commitment to quality and customer experience. His responsibilities include managing prototype designs and adapting them for tenant improvement floor plans, showcasing his architectural acumen and forward-thinking leadership.
Before joining The Fresh Market in 2025, Clifton held several pivotal roles at Kroger, culminating in his tenure as Senior Construction Director. In that role, he oversaw all new store, remodel, and fuel center projects across multiple divisions, managing a staggering $1.5 billion annual spend. Clifton led six regional directors, coordinated national design strategies with regional demographic nuances, and managed support teams responsible for architectural and civil services, capital training, and distribution center development. His holistic leadership ensured consistency in execution and innovation across Kroger’s vast retail footprint.
Clifton’s impact at Kroger was evident long before his senior directorship. As Regional Construction Director, he was instrumental in shaping the store environments in the Cincinnati, Columbus, and Harris Teeter divisions. He developed and enforced building specifications, design standards, and best practices in construction, while leading a team dedicated to project management training and software optimization. Earlier in his Kroger career, as Senior Construction Manager and Assistant Manager of Facility Engineering, he championed sustainability practices, maintenance operations, and capital planning, handling budgets exceeding $70 million and maintenance teams across hundreds of locations.
His leadership roots extend to Safeway, where as Construction Director for the Seattle Division, he oversaw a $130 million capital budget and managed store design and maintenance across the Pacific Northwest. His work led to the successful completion of 29 interior remodels and the maintenance of over 225 stores from Montana to Alaska. He also held roles at Quality Food Centers, leading new store development and sustainability initiatives, and has repeatedly demonstrated a keen understanding of the interplay between strategic facility planning and customer satisfaction.
Clifton’s educational foundation includes both a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and an MBA from Texas A&M University. This academic background, coupled with his hands-on leadership across multiple retail giants, positions him as a dynamic force in the construction and facilities industry.
While the resume does not list formal board positions, Clifton’s executive roles have consistently involved board-level collaboration, strategic governance, and enterprise-level planning—traits that would make him a valuable asset to any board seeking insight into retail expansion, operations, and capital project management.
Clifton Brown is more than a construction executive; he is a leader who builds not just stores, but enduring systems and cultures of excellence. His legacy is defined by integrity, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of operational distinction.
Character
Clifton Brown exemplifies integrity, accountability, and a strong work ethic, consistently leading large teams and billion-dollar projects with a grounded, principled approach that earns trust at every level of an organization.
Knowledge
With decades of experience in retail construction and development, Clifton brings deep technical expertise in capital planning, design execution, maintenance operations, and prototype adaptation across diverse markets and regions.
Strategic
Clifton drives enterprise-wide growth by aligning design and construction with company goals, managing complex budgets, and leading initiatives that integrate national strategies with localized execution to maximize efficiency and customer impact.
Communication
He is a clear and confident communicator who fosters collaboration across executive teams, field staff, and technical specialists, ensuring seamless coordination and transparent leadership throughout every phase of development.
