Several grocery chains announced high-level executive changes in February, while others brought on top officials who were appointed to their posts earlier in the year.
The changes include the appointment of new finance chiefs by Kroger and Heritage Grocers Group as well as the arrivals of new chief executives at Grocery Outlet and The Fresh Market. Meanwhile, Albertsons announced that it was bringing on a new director representing one of its biggest shareholders following the resignation of another member of its board who left after being nominated for a top position at the Pentagon.
Here’s a roundup of notable executive shifts that took place in February.
Kroger names a new CFO
The grocery chain appointed David Kennerley, a top executive of PepsiCo Europe, to serve as its finance chief, effective April 3. Kennerley will take over from Todd Foley, who has served as interim CFO since the resignation early last year of Gary Millerchip, who left the grocer to become CFO of Costco.
Kroger’s new CFO will arrive at the company just weeks after the company’s March 3 announcement that Rodney McMullen, its longtime CEO, had resigned following a conclusion by its board of directors that he engaged in conduct that was inconsistent with its ethics policy.
Heritage Grocers Group appoints a new finance chief, two VPs
The ethnic grocery chain, which runs chains including Cardenas Markets, Tony’s Fresh Market, El Rancho Supermercado and Los Altos Ranch Market, promoted Matthew Holt to serve as CFO. Holt, who formerly served as chief accounting officer, took over as CFO of Heritage from Darren Karst, who retired on Feb. 14.
The chain also announced that it has appointed Allison Garcia as vice president of marketing. Garcia spent more than 16 years with Kroger, where she most recently served as marketing leader for Fry’s and also served in a similar role at Ralph’s. Garcia reports directly to Heritage CEO Suzy Monford, who became chairman and CEO of the company in November.
In addition, Heritage said that it has named Kim Cates as vice president of center store. Cates most recently served as director of center store sales for Associated Wholesale Grocers and previously spent more than 20 years working for H-E-B. She reports to Heritage Chief Merchandising Officer Eric Stover.
Albertsons names a new director as another board member resigns
The supermarket operator announced that Frank Bruno has joined its board of directors. Bruno is co-CEO of investment company Cerberus Capital Management, one of the grocer’s principal shareholders.
The appointment of Bruno to Albertsons’ board coincided with the resignation of Steve Feinberg, who left his role on the board following his nomination as U.S. deputy secretary of defense. Feinberg spent only about four months on Albertsons’ board.
Jewel-Osco appoints new SVP
The Albertsons-owned banner said in a LinkedIn post that it promoted Edward Kennedy to senior vice president of merchandising and marketing. Kennedy, a former Albertsons summer intern, joined Jewel-Osco as a project manager in 2016 and became the Midwestern chain’s director of merchandising in 2021.
Grocery Outlet’s new CEO assumes his new job
Jason Potter took over as president and CEO of the discount grocery chain on Feb. 3. Potter was appointed to the post in January and is joining Grocery Outlet as the company grapples with a series of operational challenges that have pushed its stock price to an all-time low. Potter was formerly CEO of The Fresh Market.
The Fresh Market’s new chief executive takes over
The specialty grocery chain’s newly appointed president and CEO, Brian Johnson, took over as its top executive on Feb. 3. Johnson formerly served as The Fresh Market’s chief operating officer.
