JC Wegmans Manager Retiring After 36 Years With The Company

A Vestal High School graduate who joined Wegmans a few months before the supermarket chain opened its Johnson City location is retiring as manager of that store.

Dave Orlovsky has overseen operations at the Harry L. Drive store since October 2019. His final day on the job is Saturday.

At one point, Orlovsky was planning a career in law enforcement. But while attending SUNY Oswego, a friend had some very positive things to say about Wegmans.

Wegmans Johnson City store manager Dave Orlovsky on July 16, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

When Orlovsky returned to Broome County, he spotted a Wegmans newspaper ad  in early 1990 seeking people to work at the new store planned for Johnson City. He was hired in April, underwent training for a few months and was on hand when the store opened in August 1990.

Orlovsky said he started out in the kitchens in the store. He told WNBF News he "had a great time" serving potato and macaroni salad to customers.

He said he "fell in love with the culture and the way they treated me." Along the way, he's worked for Wegmans in Elmira, Corning and Massachusetts.

A few months after becoming manager of the Johnson City store, Orlovsky was dealing with a series of major challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. He worked to navigate uncharted territory with supply chain issues and changing government guidelines.

The Johnson City store continues to be one of the Rochester-based company's best-performing sites. There were only 43 Wegmans stores when the Broome County location opened. The company now operates 114 stores.

Orlovsky said he appreciated all the opportunities he had while working for Wegmans. He said he's "sad to leave but excited for what's next."

Marissa Hess has been named the new manager of the Johnson City store.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: Dave Orlovsky, Johnson City Wegmans store manager, discussed his career with the company.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com.