After what it described as a thorough search, URM Stores has named Roger F. White as its next CEO and president, effective June 1. A Pacific Northwest native with more than 30 years of industry experience, White will succeed Ray Sprinkle, who is retiring this summer. “Roger not only brings a wealth of experience and strategic […]
Category: Executive News
Grocery industry executive news: appointments, promotions and leadership changes at retailers, wholesalers and suppliers.
Follow every leadership change in Executive Moves.
SpartanNash Names Mahabir As VP, Retail Operations
SpartanNash has named Jay Mahabir VP of retail operations, effective immediately, overseeing retail operations at about 200 SpartanNash-operated stores in 10 states. Mahabir will be focused on leading an excellent in-store and online experience for employees and shoppers. “We will continue to enhance our shopping experience by focusing on freshness, value and convenience, and Jay […]
Baldor Specialty Foods Appoints McInerney President
New York-based Baldor Specialty Foods, a distributor of premium fresh produce and specialty foods in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, has appointed industry veteran David McInerney as its incoming president. McInerney, former CEO and co-founder of FreshDirect, brings more than 30 years of experience in food retailing, operations and supply chain innovation to Baldor. His addition comes […]
Utz Brands Appoints Kelley, Stuart To New EVP Roles
Utz Brands Inc. has named William (Bill) J. Kelley Jr. and Jeremy Stuart to EVP roles within its snacks company. William J. Kelley Jr. Utz has appointed Kelley as EVP, CFO and principal accounting officer, succeeding Ajay Kataria on May 1. He most recently served as global CFO at Tropicana Brands Group Inc. Prior to […]
Kroger Appointments Include New Presidents At 3 Divisions
Kroger Co. has announced leadership appointments involving four of its divisions in the West and Midwest. Joe Kelley, formerly president of the Colorado-based King Soopers & City Markets division, has become SVP of retail divisions. Kelley succeeds Kenny Kimball, who returns to the Utah-based Smith’s division as president. Chris Albi, group VP of operations at […]
T. Marzetti Co. Names Berman Retail President
T. Marzetti Company, a subsidiary of Lancaster Colony Corp., has appointed Tanya Berman as president of its retail business unit, effective April 21. In this role, Berman will lead sales, marketing and innovation for T. Marzetti’s portfolio of retail brands and licensed products. Berman has 25 years of experience in general management and marketing, with […]
USC Marshall Enhances Fall 2025 Food Industry Executive Program
USC Marshall Executive Education, in collaboration with the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC), has revamped its Food Industry Executive Program (FIEP) for fall 2025. The four-day offering is designed to equip food industry executives in retail, manufacturing, grocery and supply chain sectors with advanced leadership strategies, market insights and a competitive edge in an […]
Associated Food Stores Shares Pharmacy Leadership Promotions
Associated Food Stores (AFS) has made three leadership promotions within its pharmacy division to guide modernization efforts, which include implementing new processes and exploring innovations such as central fill automation. Eliseo Faz has been named SVP of pharmacy, where he will oversee all pharmacy operations across the company. Chris Sheard has been promoted to VP […]
Food City’s Purdy Inducted Into PLMA’s Private Label Hall Of Fame
Ross Purdy, VP of center store operations for Food City, was recently inducted into Private Label Manufacturers Association’s (PLMA) Private Label Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement category. PLMA created the Private Label Hall of Fame in 2006 to recognize those who have “made significant contributions to the growth and development of the global […]
Ahold Delhaize USA Appoints Dozier As CIO
Ann Dozier has joined Ahold Delhaize USA as chief information officer, overseeing all aspects of IT, with a focus on technology to boost each of the company’s brands and drive the company’s Growing Together strategy. “We are excited to have Ann on board with us at Ahold Delhaize USA,” said JJ Fleeman, CEO of Ahold […]
In Remembrance: Designer Greetings Co-Founder
Funeral services were held March 19 at Congregation B’nai Jeshuran in West Brighton, New York, for Bernice “Vickie” Gimbelman, co-founder of Designer Greetings. Mrs. Gimbelman, 91, died March 15 at her home in the Manor Heights neighborhood of Staten Island, New York. A native of the Bronx, New York, Mrs. Gimbelman entered the work force […]
The Giant Co. Names Allison As VP, Center Store Merchandising
The Giant Co. has named Steve Allison VP of center store merchandising, effective immediately. Allison will report to Rebecca Lupfer, SVP and chief merchant for The Giant Co. “With his years of merchandising experience, Steve brings a proven track record of building both strategic and mutually beneficial supplier relationships to best serve our customers’ needs,” […]
KeHE Board Member Hung Selected As A Director To Watch
KeHE Distributors Board of Directors member Karen Hung has been selected by Private Company Director magazine as a 2025 “Director to Watch.” Hung, the CEO and founder of Silver Rock Consulting, a global management consulting firm, was appointed to the KeHE board in 2020 after a nationwide search for candidates. “This recognition is a testament to Karen’s […]
DiPietro To Succeed Shoemaker As Kroger’s Dallas Division President
Kroger has announced that Rudy DiPietro will succeed Keith Shoemaker as president of its Dallas Division, effective March 29, following Shoemaker’s retirement after nearly 48 years with the company. Over the course of a 21-year career with Ahold Delhaize USA, DiPietro held a variety of leadership roles across many of the organization’s family of brands. […]
The Hershey Co. Names Taffet As Chief Growth Officer
The Hershey Co. has named Stacy Taffet as its chief growth officer, effective April 14. In this role, she will be responsible for driving transformative growth strategies across the company’s expanding snacks portfolio. Taffet is a seasoned marketing executive with 20 years of leadership experience, including 15 years in consumer-packaged goods (CPG) and a PepsiCo […]
Wakefern’s Stigers Named USC’s 2025 Food Industry Executive Of The Year
The USC Marshall School of Business Food Industry Management (FIM) program will honor Mike Stigers, president of Wakefern Food Corp., as its 2025 Food Industry Executive of the Year. Each year, the award is presented to an executive who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and a strong commitment to education. Stigers also will serve as the […]
Morris To Succeed Sankaran As Albertsons Cos. CEO
Albertsons Companies Inc. has announced a CEO succession plan under which Susan Morris, EVP and chief operations officer, will assume the role following the planned retirement of Vivek Sankaran, effective May 1. During the transition period, Morris will work closely with Sankaran to continue executing the company’s “Customers for Life” strategy. On the effective date, […]
TRUNO Names St. Clair As New CEO
Lubbock, Texas-based TRUNO Retail Technology Solutions has named Chris St. Clair its new CEO. The company said Brad Ralston, who has served as CEO since 2011, will remain actively involved in TRUNO’s strategic planning and leadership. “Chris has lived through the challenges our customers face every day. He knows firsthand how to successfully run a […]
Kroger Chair/CEO McMullen Resigns Following Investigation
The Kroger Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rodney McMullen has resigned following a board investigation of his personal conduct that, while unrelated to the business, was inconsistent with Kroger’s Policy on Business Ethics, according to a March 3 statement from the company. Lead Director Ronald “Ron” Sargent has been appointed to serve as chairman […]
Heritage Grocers Group Appoints Garcia VP Of Marketing
Ontario, California-based Heritage Grocers Group has appointed Allison Garcia VP of marketing, where she will oversee HGG’s go-to-market strategy and report to Suzy Monford, chairman and CEO. “Allie brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for the grocery industry to our team,” Monford said. “Her deep understanding of the industry and innovative marketing approach will […]
