Jeff Wojtkowiak, VP of operations for Kroger’s Columbus Division in Ohio, has been named VP of operations for the company’s Atlanta Division. He replaces Charles Mitchell, who retired in December. “Jeff brings 34 years of operations and merchandising experience to this position,” said Bruce Lucia, president of Kroger’s Atlanta Division. “We look forward to his […]
Tag: executive
Bristol Farms’ Davis Will Chair 2016-18 FMI Board, Other Officers Elected
Kevin Davis, chairman and CEO of Southern California’s Bristol Farms, has been elected chairman of the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) board of directors, 2016-18. The group met today for its annual business meeting during the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference in Miami. In addition to Davis, other 2016-18 officers are: • Fred Morganthall, EVP of retail […]
More Than One Million Walmart Associates To Receive Pay Raise, And More…
New Channels News In Brief… More than 1.2 million Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club associates will receive a pay increase under the second phase of the company’s two-year, $2.7 billion investment in workers. The pay raise, which takes effect Feb. 20, will be one of the largest single-day, private-sector pay increases ever, according to Walmart […]
Acosta Names Corley COO, And More…
Supermarket News In Brief… Acosta has named Tom Corley, former Kraft executive, COO. He is responsible for overseeing the sales and foodservice divisions, deepening consumer packaged goods clients and customer relationships, identifying retail operating strategies and developing a differentiated sales organization. Corley has more than 30 years of industry experience with the Kraft Foods Group […]
Arby’s Sets Broad Expansion Plan With U.S. Beef, And More…
Foodservice News In Brief… Arby’s Restaurant Group, parent company of the franchisor of the Arby’s brand, has reached a new development agreement with its largest franchisee, United States Beef Corp., to open 70 new restaurants over the next seven years. This equates to an average of 10 new restaurants per year between 2016 and 2022… […]
Publix Announces Executive Changes Following Crenshaw/Jones News
Just days after Publix Super Markets announced the upcoming retirement of its 65-year-old CEO, Ed Crenshaw, and the promotion of company President Todd Jones, 53, to that role, Publix has promoted several others. With Jones’ promotion to president and CEO, CFO David Phillips will assume additional responsibilities and be promoted to EVP and CFO. Miami […]
Publix’s Crenshaw To Retire, New CEO Named
Publix Super Markets CEO Ed Crenshaw today said he plans to retire as the company’s CEO on April 30. Publix President Todd Jones will succeed Crenshaw. Crenshaw began his Publix career in 1974 as a front-service clerk in Lake Wales, Florida. After working in a variety of retail and support positions, he was promoted to director […]
Hy-Vee Promotes Marshall To COO, Names 2016 Board Of Directors
Hy-Vee EVP and Chief Retail Officer Jay Marshall has been promoted to COO of the West Des Moines, Iowa-based grocery company. He becomes only the fourth person in the grocer’s history to hold the title. Marshall will retain all responsibility for retail operations and store development and will assume responsibility for all merchandising areas in […]
Fred Meyer Gets New President As Gust Retires After 45 Years
Lynn Gust, president of Fred Meyer Stores, will retire Jan. 31 after 45 years of service to The Kroger Co., which owns the banner. Jeff Burt, who currently serves as president of Kroger’s Central Division, will succeed Gust. Fred Meyer is based in Portland, Oregon, and operates 132 stores in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. […]
Wegmans Begins Installing Hearing Loops To Aid Customers, And More…
New Channels News In Brief… Wegmans Food Markets has begun to install induction hearing loop stations in its stores at pharmacy counters, customer service desks and designated checkout lanes. Sixteen Wegmans stores currently have these hearing assistance systems—at least one store in each of the six states where Wegmans operates. More will be added in […]
Family Dollar’s Levine Leaving With Dollar Tree Integration Complete
Dollar Tree said Friday that Howard R. Levine has completed his role in the integration of Family Dollar and Dollar Tree and is stepping down as an officer of the company, effective Jan. 15. On July 6, 2015, Dollar Tree completed its acquisition of more than 8,200 Family Dollar stores across 46 states. The company […]
Specialty Food Retail Exec Wolpert Passes Away
Mr. Tracy Wolpert, VP of operations for Southern California’s Bristol Farms, died in Long Beach last month. Additional details about his passing and funeral arrangements were unavailable at the time of this report. “While he was only with us for a short period of time, he had a big impact on our Bristol Farms family,” […]
Ayer Shop ’N Save Opens With Help From Hannaford And IRSSC, And More…
Supermarket News In Brief… An Ayer, Massachusetts, Shop ’n Save recently opened, creating 60 new jobs for the community. The store replaces what used to be Hannaford, but the Maine retailer-distributor now supplies the store. The store is owned by Mike Szelest. The store also is partnering with local farmers. The Ayer store is part […]
Group Carries On Industry’s ‘Little Joe’s Christmas Party’ Tradition
In 1957, three men—Sam Guzzo of Oroweat Baking Co., Charlie Dragna of Barbara Ann Bread Co. and John Fusano of San Fernando Valley Olive Co.—started what would become an annual Christmas party. The event was held during the holiday season and hosted at Little Joe’s Italian Restaurant in Chinatown Los Angeles. The party quickly became […]
Flowers Foods Makes Leadership Changes
Flowers Foods, based in Thomasville, Georgia, has made several leadership changes. Randy Brock has been named SVP for Flowers Bakeries’ central region. Brock most recently was president of Flowers Baking Co. of Villa Rica, Georgia. “Randy has a wealth of bakery experience and superior leadership skills,” said Keith Wheeler, president of Flowers Bakeries. “I know […]
Laurel Grocery Co. Reports Three Executive Changes
David Pearson, president of Kentucky-based Laurel Grocery Co., has announced executive changes that were effective Nov. 15. On that date, Kip Faulhaber was promoted to SVP of merchandising and marketing, overseeing all marketing, merchandising and procurement for the entire company. Carey Otwell joined Laurel as VP of fresh, responsible for meat, produce, bakery and deli and […]
Isenberg Of Chex Finer Foods Among SFA’s 2016 Hall Of Fame Inductees, And More…
New Channels News In Brief… The Specialty Food Association (SFA) has revealed the 2016 class of the Specialty Food Hall of Fame, honoring 47 leaders who have been instrumental in building and shaping the $109 billion specialty food industry. Among the inductees: David Isenberg of Chex Finer Foods, Alfed Ciccotelli Sr. and Jr. of Cento […]
Mountain Dairy Of Connecticut Adds New Marketing Director, And More…
Supermarket News In Brief… Lisa Ennis recently joined the staff of Mountain Dairy of Storrs, Connecticut, as director of marketing and sales. She brings more than 20 years of sales experience in food and beverage distribution. Ennis is a specialist in direct store delivery, having dealt with a variety of distribution and mass merchant channels. […]
Spires, Durante To Lead Kings Food Markets
Supermarket News In Brief… Judy Spires of Kings Food Markets has been named chairman and CEO. She previously was president and CEO. In addition, Rich Durante has been promoted to president and COO. Durante began his career with Kings in 1988 as a store manager, risen through the ranks over the past 27 years and […]
Keystone Foods Names Cole President, And More…
Foodservice News In Brief… Keystone Foods of West Chester, Pennsylvania, has appointed Devin Cole president of Keystone U.S., overseeing all North American business for the company. Keystone Foods is a subsidiary of Marfrig Global Foods, a publicly listed global protein company headquartered in Brazil. Keystone Foods is a global foodservice company that supplies consumer brands with […]
