California avocado season is getting under way, and the California Avocado Commission (CAC) has updated its production forecast to 327 million pounds for its fiscal year 2014-15. CAC also says that Dr. Timothy Spann has returned to the commission staff and now serves as research program director. Spann, who has a Ph.D. in plant biology […]
Category: Executive News
Grocery industry executive news: appointments, promotions and leadership changes at retailers, wholesalers and suppliers.
Follow every leadership change in Executive Moves.
Nonni’s Foods Appoints Brian Hansberry CEO
Nonni’s Foods, a leading provider of premium, specialty cookies and baked goods, has named Brian Hansberry CEO. Hansberry succeeds Dave Beré, who is retiring from the role of CEO and will now serve as chairman of the company’s board of directors. Hansberry brings more than 25 years of experience to his new role, most recently […]
Haggen Pacific Southwest Hires Director Of Produce
Supermarket and produce industry veteran Chris Jacoby is among the latest hires at Haggen’s new Pacific Southwest Division, headquartered in Irvine, California. Jacoby joins Haggen as the division’s director of produce. He most recently was sales manager at Coast Produce and, prior to that, worked for Progressive Produce. Additionally, from 1998-2012, he worked with Albertsons/Supervalu […]
FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg Stepping Down
FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., plans to step down at the end of March following six years as commissioner of the organization. The FDA’s chief scientist, Dr. Stephen Ostroff, will serve as acting commissioner following her departure. Hamburg did not cite a reason for leaving. In a letter to colleagues, Hamburg said, “As you […]
The J.M. Smucker Co. Makes Executive Appointments
The J.M. Smucker Co. has made a series of key executive promotions designed to position the Ohio-based company for continued growth and success following the recently announced planned acquisition of Big Heart Pet Brands, which is expected to be completed by the end of the company’s fiscal year in April 2015. The company’s board of […]
Strack & Van Til Reorganizes Executive Management Team
Strack & Van Til President and CEO Ken Diehl has announced a reorganization of the Highland, Indiana-based chain’s executive management team. Hired last October to steer the 5,000-employee company operating 38 stores, Diehl said the staffing changes are part of a plan to better position Strack & Van Til for the future. “I’m very excited […]
Campbell Soup Co. Shakes Up Divisions, Leadership
Campbell Soup Co. plans to implement a new enterprise structure that the New Jersey-based company says will align the organization’s business operations with its core growth strategies. Under the new design, Campbell’s businesses will be organized and managed in three divisions structured principally by product categories rather than by geographies or brand groups. Each division […]
Bob Aiken Resigns As CEO Of Feeding America
Bob Aiken has decided to resign as CEO of Chicago-based Feeding America, effective June 30. “While we regret Bob’s decision, we support it,” said Jan Pruitt, chair of the Feeding America board of directors. “We appreciate the strategic focus that Bob brought to the role and the momentum he created to realize our vision of […]
Aptaris Taps William Gilmour As CFO
Aptaris, a leading provider of enterprise marketing and promotions management solutions, has appointed William Gilmour as CFO. Gilmour brings more than 20 years of finance leadership in the software industry. “Business agility is a priority for us and our clients,” said Tom O’Reilly, CEO of Aptaris. “Bill’s addition to the executive team will ensure we […]
Bi-Lo Hires International Exec As President/CEO
At the end of the day Thursday, Jan. 22, Bi-Lo Holdings announced its choice for its new president and CEO. Ian McLeod, whose 30-year career in the food industry includes overseeing more than 2,000 Coles stores in Australia, will become president and CEO of Jacksonville, Florida-based Bi-Lo Holdings on March 2, the same day current president and […]
Fred’s Appoints Former Family Dollar Exec President, COO
Fred’s Inc. has named Michael K. Bloom president and COO. Bloom brings to Fred’s more than 30 years of experience in small-box general merchandising, supply chain management and store operations. He most recently served as the president and COO of Family Dollar Stores Inc. Fred’s Chairman Michael J. Hayes said, “Our board of directors views […]
Craig Carlock Out As CEO Of The Fresh Market
The Fresh Market said Monday afternoon that CEO Craig Carlock has left the company and resigned as a member of the board of directors. Sean Crane, EVP and COO, will serve as interim CEO. The Greensboro, North Carolina-based grocer has retained a national executive search firm to assist in identifying and evaluating candidates for the […]
Drugstore Veteran Joins Earth Fare As CEO
Natural and organic grocery chain Earth Fare has named Frank Scorpiniti CEO. Scorpiniti assumed his new role in October, though the announcement wasn’t made until this week. Jack Murphy was previously CEO for Earth Fare before he joined New York-based Fairway Market in September. Prior to joining Earth Fare, Scorpiniti served as CEO of Katz […]
Former Sprouts Exec Joins Lucky’s Market As President
Lucky’s Market has appointed Steve Black president, effective immediately. Black brings more than 38 years of industry experience to his new role, having previously served as VP of operations, CIO and CMO of Sprouts Farmers Markets. Prior to his roles at Sprouts, he was VP of operations and VP of IT and marketing at Sunflower […]
MMI Hires Director Of Business Development
Marketing Management Inc. (MMI) has hired Victor Cascio as director of business development. In this role, Cascio will help pursue new business relationships on behalf of MMI. “Having an opportunity to work at MMI is extremely exciting for me, and I’m fortunate to be joining such a respected company that prides itself on top-quality service,” […]
Kraft Foods Group Appoints John Cahill CEO, Tony Vernon Retiring
Kraft Foods Group said Thursday that its board of directors has named John Cahill, chairman of the board of directors, to the position of chairman and CEO of Kraft Foods. Cahill will succeed Tony Vernon, who has informed the board of his intention to retire as CEO on Dec. 27, the last day of the company’s […]
Tim Milano Appointed CMO At Mrs. Green’s
Natural Markets Food Group, parent company of Mrs. Green’s Natural Market, Planet Organic Market and Richtree Natural Market restaurants, has named Tim Milano as its new chief merchandising and marketing officer. Milano brings 20 years of national experience in consumer goods, product development and merchandising to Natural Markets, including most recently serving as head of […]
David Dillon To Retire As Kroger Chairman
David B. Dillon, who led The Kroger Co. leadership team’s development of the company’s successful Customer 1st Strategy, will retire as chairman of the board Dec. 31 after 38 years of service. As expected, Kroger’s board of directors has elected Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen to the additional post of chairman commencing on Jan. 1. McMullen […]
Fairway Market’s Howard Glickberg Retires
Fairway Market’s Howard Glickberg, who was the grocer’s longtime CEO and more recently vice chairman of real estate development, has retired, effective Dec. 8. He remains on the company’s board. Glickberg is credited for taking his grandfather’s fruit and vegetable stand on 74th and Broadway in New York City and building it into Fairway Market, […]
Mars Chocolate Promotes Timothy LeBel To VP Of Sales
Mars Chocolate North America has promoted Timothy LeBel to VP of sales. In his new role leading the Mars Chocolate sales organization, LeBel will oversee the strategy and execution of the group’s retail management, customer account teams, field sales, customer development and customer experiences. He serves as a member of the New Jersey-based company’s senior […]
