Longtime Coca-Cola executive Todd Klug recently made the move to Popchips, where he joins the company’s national sales team with a focus on retail customers in the western U.S. Klug transitions to the snack company with more than 20 years in the beverage business within the Coca-Cola system. Popchips, which boasts an all-natural “never baked, […]
Category: Executive News
Grocery industry executive news: appointments, promotions and leadership changes at retailers, wholesalers and suppliers.
Follow every leadership change in Executive Moves.
Longtime Agri Beef Exec Named CEO For Superior Farms
Agri Beef Co. executive Rick Stott accepted the position of CEO for Superior Farms Lamb this week. He most recently served as the EVP of business development for Agri Beef, headquartered in Boise, Idaho, and, with more than 19 years at the company, also has served as president of Snake River Farms (a subsidiary of […]
Kroger’s Mid-South Division President Hackett To Retire After 50 Years
The Kroger Co.’s Mid-South Division President John Hackett is set to retire after 50 years of service. His last day with the company will be June 28. Hackett began his career with Kroger in 1963 as a store clerk in London, Ohio, working his way through college at The Ohio State University. Following graduation he […]
Former Bush White House Counselor Joins Walmart PR Head
Walmart has named Dan Bartlett, 41, its new EVP of corporate affairs, effective in late June. Bartlett most recently was president and CEO of the U.S. arm of Hill+Knowlton Strategies, a global business advisory firm serving corporations, nonprofits and associations in 52 countries. Prior to that, he was a senior counselor to President George W. […]
Snack Food Association Appoints Dempsey CEO
The Snack Food Association (SFA) has named Tom Dempsey, former president of UTZ Quality Foods, as its CEO, effective July 1. Jim McCarthy, SFA’s president and CEO since 1999, will continue as president with a focus of enhancing SFA’s presence in federal, state and international arenas. Dempsey’s focus will be to help increase SFA’s value […]
New CEO Named At Kettle Cuisine As Founder Transitions To Board Chair
Kettle Cuisine, a market leader in premium quality, all-natural soups for foodservice and grocery operators, says that Joe Rainert will take on the role of CEO of the Chelsea, Mass.-based company. Jerry Shafir, who founded Kettle Cuisine 27 years ago, will transition from CEO to chairman of the board of directors and continue to help […]
Rose Appointed New President Of Marketing Services At Crossmark
Crossmark, a leading sales and marketing services company, has appointed Jim Rose as president of marketing services. Crossmark CEO Joe Crafton previously led this growth area. As the largest in-store marketing services company in North America, the addition of Rose to the leadership team at Crossmark is a significant move that bolsters the company’s strong […]
Ready Pac’s President/CEO Retiring, Successor Named
Michael Solomon, president and CEO of Ready Pac Foods Inc., has announced his retirement from Ready Pac. Solomon has been with Ready Pac since 2006 and has been president and CEO since 2008. He has led the company through several years of record performance. “I have decided that now since I have a strong senior […]
Simmons Elected CEO Of McIlhenny Co.
Anthony “Tony” Simmons has been elected CEO of McIlhenny Co., maker of Tabasco brand products. He also will serve as interim chairman of the board until an independent chairman is selected. A great-great-grandson of Edmund McIlhenny, the creator of Tabasco sauce, Simmons is a member of the fifth generation of the McIlhenny family involved in […]
Supervalu Adds Standley, Neporent To Board
On Friday, Supervalu announced the election of two new directors on its board: John Standley, chairman, president and CEO of Rite Aid Corp., and Mark A. Neporent, COO and general counsel at Cerberus Capital Management L.P. “I am very pleased that John and Mark have accepted positions on our board,” said Bob Miller, Supervalu’s non-executive […]
SoupMan Names Johnny Rockets Exec As New CEO, Plans To Expand Brand
Soupman Inc., the parent company of soup brand Original SoupMan, has appointed Lloyd Sugarman to the position of CEO. Sugarman, who brings a wealth of retail merchandising, restaurant operations and franchising experience, will focus on the expansion of the company’s award-winning soups into the $6 billion annual retail soup category following the recent launch of […]
StarKist Board Appoints Lee As President, CEO
StarKist Co., a subsidiary of Dongwon Industries, has named Sam Hwi Lee as president and CEO of StarKist. Lee, a StarKist board of directors member since 2008, became the interim president of StarKist on Nov. 1, 2012, following the resignation of In-Soo Cho. He officially was appointed president and CEO last week during a StarKist […]
Publix Adds Knopik To Board Of Directors
During its annual stockholders’ meeting this week, Publix Super Markets elected Steve Knopik to its board of directors. “We are pleased to have Steve join the Publix board,” said Publix Board Chair Charlie Jenkins Jr. “His strong retail and financial background and commitment to the community will make him a strong addition to our board.” […]
Gorny To Join PMA’s Science And Technology Team
Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has named Dr. Jim Gorny to the newly created position of VP of food safety and technology, starting May 1. In his role, Gorny will strengthen PMA’s initiatives to build member value in the areas of science and technology, including food safety research, biotechnology, agricultural innovations, process and packaging technology and […]
Van Helden Appointed President, COO Of Stater Bros. Markets
Peter Van Helden will become president and COO of Stater Bros. Markets when Jim Lee retires as of June 1. Van Helden is a 36-year veteran of the supermarket industry. Prior to joining Stater Bros., he was EVP of retail operations for Supervalu. Van Helden began his career in 1977, working for Rosauers in Libby, […]
Stater Bros. President Announces Retirement
Jim Lee, president and COO of Stater Bros. Markets, plans to retire May 31. He made the announcement Thursday in Pomona, Calif., after being inducted into the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation (CGAEF) Hall of Achievement. Lee joined San Bernardino-based Stater Bros. Markets as group SVP of retail operations in 2002, bringing to the company […]
Industry Veteran Joins Go Think! Management Team
Go Think!, a retail marketing, customer loyalty and digital technology firm, has added Dan Sanders to its management team. Sanders will serve as managing director for business development, focusing on both business development and marketing consulting. A seasoned executive in the supermarket industry, Sanders most recently served as a Supervalu division president. During his tenure […]
Lund Food Holdings Promotes Lombardo And Geisler
Lund Food Holdings Inc. (LFHI), parent company to 22 Lunds and Byerly’s stores in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, has promoted two key executives, a company news release says. Phil Lombardo (left) has been promoted to the new position of chief marketing and merchandising officer. Jim Geisler (right) has been promoted to the new position of […]
Ahold USA Appoints Scorza As Chief Information Officer
Ahold USA has named Paul Scorza as its chief information officer, effective today. In this role, which will be based in Quincy, Mass., Scorza will oversee all Ahold USA information management functions, with a focus on the development and implementation of systems and business processes to improve efficiency, effectiveness, controls and operations across the company. […]
Borders To Lead Coca-Cola Foundation Following Jones’ Retirement
The Coca-Cola Co. has announced that Ingrid Saunders Jones, SVP of global community connections and chair of The Coca-Cola Foundation, will retire after 30 years of service, effective June 1. Jones joined Coca-Cola in 1982 and has held roles of increasing responsibility around the company’s corporate giving and community outreach. She has served as chair […]
