Content about president and COO

April 25, 2013
Clif Bar adds CEO to Kevin Cleary's title

Clif Bar on Wednesday promoted Kevin Cleary, president and COO, to CEO.

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Clif Bar on Wednesday promoted Kevin Cleary, president and COO, to CEO. In his new role as CEO, Cleary will focus on expanding Clif Bar’s growth in the sports nutrition and healthy snacks category while continuing to lead the company’s day-to-day business operations.

Owners Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford will continue as co-chairs of Clif Bar's board of directors.

April 20, 2013
Mack Elevation Forum: How to achieve best value

“Sixty percent of all buying decisions have already been completed prior to ever speaking with a supplier. And most of us struggle with undervaluing our competitors and overvaluing our company assets. That is a deadly combination that makes you vulnerable.” That was one of the key messages Mack Elevation Forum founder and leader Dan Mack had for attendees of Friday morning’s Elevation Forum meeting. Mack created the program in 2008 for senior sales and marketing leaders, and today the group totals more than 30 companies who meet to discuss cutting-edge ideas and strategies emerging in the industry.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — “Sixty percent of all buying decisions have already been completed prior to ever speaking with a supplier. And most of us struggle with undervaluing our competitors and overvaluing our company assets. That is a deadly combination that makes you vulnerable.” That was one of the key messages Mack Elevation Forum founder and leader Dan Mack had for attendees of Friday morning’s Elevation Forum meeting.

April 16, 2013
Stater Bros. appoints Peter Van Helden as president, COO

A former executive of Supervalu has been tapped for a top position at Stater Bros. Markets, the supermarket chain said.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — A former executive of Supervalu has been tapped for a top position at Stater Bros. Markets, the supermarket chain said.

Stater Bros. announced that former Supervalu EVP retail operations Peter Van Helden had been hired as president and COO of the privately owned San Bernardino, Calif.-based chain, which operates 167 stores in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

January 31, 2013
Kroger Central Division president Bob Moeder retires

Kroger on Thursday announced the retirement of Central Division president Bob Moeder.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday announced the retirement of Central Division president Bob Moeder.

January 21, 2013
GMA recognizes executives, companies who contributed to advancement of industry

The Grocery Manufacturers Association on Saturday presented a number of industry awards during the association's GMA Chairman's Lecture.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Grocery Manufacturers Association on Saturday presented a number of industry awards during the association's GMA Chairman's Lecture.

November 30, 2012
Gets Well

By the time it had unveiled the latest evolution of its hot, new Wellness store concept this fall in Lemoyne, Pa., Rite Aid was coming off seven consecutive quarters of Adjusted EBITDA and same-store prescription count growth — the strongest growth period for the company in several years.

By the time it had unveiled the latest evolution of its hot, new Wellness store concept this fall in Lemoyne, Pa., Rite Aid was coming off seven consecutive quarters of Adjusted EBITDA and same-store prescription count growth — the strongest growth period for the company in several years.

November 15, 2012
Family Dollar expands product selections in anticipation of being the one-stop value shop for the holidays

Family Dollar on Thursday announced it is expanding its holiday selection to include hundreds of toys and gifts retailing for $10 or less.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar on Thursday announced it is expanding its holiday selection to include hundreds of toys and gifts retailing for $10 or less. 

"We know our customers look to Family Dollar to help them celebrate the holidays," stated Michael Bloom, Family Dollar president and COO. "This year, we are proud to offer an expanded selection of items to make this holiday season even more memorable and budget-friendly."

October 25, 2012
Two life-long Kroger veterans named to SVP posts

Kroger on Wednesday announced a pair of executive appointments — Marnette Perry will assume the role of SVP strategic initiatives and operations, while Michael Ellis has been named SVP retail divisions.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Wednesday announced a pair of executive appointments — Marnette Perry will assume the role of SVP strategic initiatives and operations, while Michael Ellis has been named SVP retail divisions. 

October 17, 2012
Kroger looking to expand its footprint into new markets, both physical and digital

Over the course of a day-long investor conference Tuesday, Kroger outlined its future growth strategy.

CINCINNATI — Over the course of a day-long investor conference Tuesday, Kroger outlined its future growth strategy. Across its physical store base, Kroger plans to enter one or two as-yet-to-be-named new markets along with boosting presence in existing markets. But Kroger also has significant designs on the multichannel consumer, and outlined for analysts the grocer's plan to grow its marketshare across the digital landscape as well.

October 12, 2012
Blurred lines between channels and better HBA options will continue to drive dollar store growth

It appears that even when the economy gets back to humming again on all cylinders that America’s shopping patterns will have been forever changed, and that's only going to support dollar store growth for years to come.

 WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — It appears that even when the economy gets back to humming on all cylinders that America’s shopping patterns will have been forever changed, and that's only going to support dollar store growth for years to come. Clearly, the two biggest competitors in Family Dollar and Dollar General are ramping up store growth all over the country, with the two companies lining up on opposite corners much the way drug chains began had done in the '80s and '90s.

September 27, 2012
National Confectioners Association names Jelly Belly executive as board chairman

Jelly Belly president and COO Bob Simpson will take over the National Confectioners Association's executive board as chairman.

WASHINGTON — Jelly Belly president and COO Bob Simpson will take over the National Confectioners Association's executive board as chairman.

NCA's publication, Candy & Snack Today said Simpson replaces Mitchell Goetze as the chairman of the executive board. Blommer Chocolate Co. president Peter Blommer was appointed to serve as vice chairman, and Goetze, who is president and COO of Goetze's Candy Co., becomes ex-officio chairman.

September 10, 2012
H. D. Smith names new head of its home healthcare division

H. D. Smith, one of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical wholesalers, on Monday named Timothy Booth to corporate VP and head of its home healthcare division.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — H. D. Smith, one of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical wholesalers, on Monday named Timothy Booth to corporate VP and head of its home healthcare division. Booth will report to Christopher Smith, H. D. Smith's president and COO.

May 31, 2012
Hy-Vee executive newest GMA hall of fame inductee

Ric Jurgens spent the past 43 years working for and building Hy-Vee into a strong regional chain, and later this summer his accomplishments will be acknowledged by the Grocery Manufacturers Association when he receives the organization’s Hall of Achievement Award.

WASHINGTON — Ric Jurgens spent the past 43 years working for and building Hy-Vee into a strong regional chain, and later this summer his accomplishments will be acknowledged by the Grocery Manufacturers Association when he receives the organization’s Hall of Achievement Award.

May 24, 2012
Hy-Vee COO to take helm

After announcing the retirement of its leader last December, Hy-Vee has named a new chairman and CEO.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — After announcing the retirement of its leader last December, Hy-Vee has named a new chairman and CEO.

The retailer said its president and COO, Randy Edeker, will become chairman, president and CEO, effective June 1. Edeker, 30-year veteran of Hy-Vee, replaces Ric Jurgens, who has served as Hy-Vee CEO since 2003 and chairman since 2006. Back in December 2011, Jurgens announced his intention to retire and nominate Edeker as his successor.

April 4, 2012
Acosta names former Kroger vet to board

Acosta Sales and Marketing, a full-service sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods industry, on Wednesday named former Kroger president and COO Don McGeorge to its board of directors.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Acosta Sales and Marketing, a full-service sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods industry, on Wednesday named former Kroger president and COO Don McGeorge to its board of directors.

March 19, 2012
Longtime Kroger exec to lead Delta division

Kroger announced that Tim Brown now will be responsible for stores in western Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri as president of the company's Delta division.

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that Tim Brown now will be responsible for stores in western Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri as president of the company's Delta division.

Brown, 52, has been VP operations in the company's Delta division, based in Roanoke, Va., since 2011; before that, he served as the Mid-Atlantic division's VP merchandising since 2009.

December 19, 2011
Family Dollar getting executive suite in place before new store, expanded assortment push

Family Dollar Stores on Monday named Paul White to the position of EVP and chief merchandising officer. White will report to Mike Bloom, president and COO.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores on Monday named Paul White to the position of EVP and chief merchandising officer. White will report to Mike Bloom, president and COO.

“Through Paul’s leadership and strategic vision, Family Dollar has created a compelling mix of discretionary merchandise, which has led to a more fun place to shop for our customers,” Bloom said. “Paul’s promotion will help us continue to broaden our appeal and deliver greater value to our customers.”

November 16, 2011
Giant Eagle looks to its own for CEO, president positions

Giant Eagle has named Laura Shapira Karet CEO and John Lucot president and COO. Both appointments are effective Jan. 9, 2012.

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle has named Laura Shapira Karet CEO and John Lucot president and COO. Both appointments are effective Jan. 9, 2012.

Karet, 42, is taking over the position from her father David Shapira, who will assume the position of executive chairman of Giant Eagle's board of directors. Shapira has served as CEO since 1980.

November 11, 2011
Pet food expert named Post Holdings COO

Ralcorp Holdings announced that Terence Block will serve as president and COO of Post Holdings, effective Jan. 1, 2012.

ST. LOUIS — Ralcorp Holdings announced that Terence Block will serve as president and COO of Post Holdings, effective Jan. 1, 2012. Block also will join the board of directors of Post Holdings following completion of the separation of the Ralcorp and Post cereal business.

September 27, 2011
Mike Bloom resigns from CVS/pharmacy, assumes president, COO role at Family Dollar

Longtime CVS/pharmacy executive Mike Bloom has resigned from the company and will serve as president and COO of Family Dollar Stores.

NEW YORK — Longtime CVS/pharmacy executive Mike Bloom has resigned from the company and will serve as president and COO of Family Dollar Stores.

“Mike Bloom, EVP of merchandising and supply chain, has resigned from the company. We thank him for his many contributions to the success of our retail business over the past 19 years and wish him luck in his future endeavors,” stated Carolyn Castel, VP of corporate communications at CVS Caremark, in a statement sent to Drug Store News.

September 16, 2011
Retail vet Giancamilli announces retirement; Scorpiniti to lead 1,800 Katz stores

Katz Group Canada, Canada’s largest integrated pharmacy network with more than 1,800 chain, franchise and independent pharmacies, has announced the retirement of industry veteran Andy Giancamilli as CEO, effective Feb. 2, 2012.

TORONTO — Katz Group Canada, Canada’s largest integrated pharmacy network with more than 1,800 chain, franchise and independent pharmacies, has announced the retirement of industry veteran Andy Giancamilli as CEO, effective Feb. 2, 2012.

Giancamilli, who will serve in an advisory role until May 2012 following his retirement in February, will be succeeded by Frank Scorpiniti, who joined the company in April as COO.

September 6, 2011
Costco is in good hands with Jelinek at helm

While news media fret over what effect Steve Jobs' departure from Apple will have on that company, it's clear that Jim Sinegal is leaving Costco Wholesale in capable hands as he prepares to step down as CEO and hand leadership over to president and COO Craig Jelinek.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — While news media fret over what effect Steve Jobs' departure from Apple will have on that company, it's clear that Jim Sinegal is leaving Costco Wholesale in capable hands as he prepares to step down as CEO and hand leadership over to president and COO Craig Jelinek.

(THE NEWS: New leadership era begins at Costco. For the full story, click here)

September 1, 2011
New leadership era begins at Costco

Costco’s legendary co-founder Jim Sinegal is stepping down as CEO.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco’s legendary co-founder Jim Sinegal is stepping down as CEO.

July 26, 2011
Ralphs appoints Donna Giordano as president

Kroger on Tuesday promoted Donna Giordano to the role of president of the Ralphs division.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday promoted Donna Giordano to the role of president of the Ralphs division.

Giordano, 57, has been president of the company's Quality Food Centers division, based in Seattle, since 2002. She succeeds Mike Donnelly, who was recently promoted to SVP merchandising for Kroger.

July 25, 2011
Back to wellness and adding the ‘plus’


With its latest string of initiatives designed to bring it out of a slump that lasted more than a decade, Rite Aid is aiming for “wellness” to do for it what the lower-case “i” did for Apple.



With its latest string of initiatives designed to bring it out of a slump that lasted more than a decade, Rite Aid is aiming for “wellness” to do for it what the lower-case “i” did for Apple.


First, there was the wellness+ loyalty card program. Then, there was the wellness store format, with its team of Wellness Ambassadors. “This new format is all about empowering our customers in their pursuit of wellness,” president and CEO John Standley said in the company’s first quarter 2012 earnings call on June 23.