Ira Cohen’s long and varied retail career has taken him from Macy’s to Mervyns to Trader Joes where you may remember hearing him on Trader Joe’s radio commercials, “…this is Ira Cohen of Trader Joes!”. He traveled throughout the world to change the product assortment there from primarily Wine, alcohol and cheese to a varied selection including produce, expansion of the frozen category, many new fresh products, flowers and more.
Since his retirement and along with his cherished wife Pat and friend Dr. Scott Sale, he founded Safe Parking, L.A. aimed at helping the approximately 16,000 homeless individuals who live in their vehicles. A veteran, drafted at the age of 21 and served during the Korean War, the Safe Parking Lot at the VA is particularly close to his heart. Ira is a graduate of Adelphi University on Long Island has two children, two grandchildren and one great grandchild.