MINNEAPOLIS– SUPERVALU announced appointments to its executive team, including Janel Haugarth who will remain with the company as executive vice president and president of independent business and supply chain services. The announcement comes as Sam Duncan, SUPERVALU president and chief executive officer, continues finalizing his leadership team following the sale of five retail banners to AB Acquisition LLC, a transaction that was completed yesterday, March 21, 2013.
Haugarth to continue as head of SUPERVALU’s largest division
Haugarth, who has spent more than 35 years in a variety of leadership positions with SUPERVALU, agreed to continue as executive vice president and president of independent business and supply chain services. In this important role, Haugarth will oversee the company’s wholesale and distribution business which is expected to account for nearly 50 percent of SUPERVALU’s annual revenues after the transaction closes. SUPERVALU’s Independent Business division is the primary grocery supplier to nearly 2,000 of the country’s most successful independent grocery retailers across 43 states. She also will lead supply chain services for the company which consists of 19 distribution centers across the country.
“It was a priority for me to keep Janel with the organization going forward,” said Duncan. “She is highly respected by our independent retailers and her experience and leadership ensures stability as we continue to help these important stakeholders grow and prosper.”
New Chief Information Officer appointed
Randy Burdick has been named executive vice president, chief information officer for the company, effective March 25. In this role, Burdick is responsible for SUPERVALU’S information technology infrastructure and personnel, as well as the shared service/contact center organization. He joins SUPERVALU after spending the past eight years as chief information officer at OfficeMax.
Burdick has more than 28 years in a variety of technology leadership positions, including experience as group information officer for Hewlett-Packard and chief information officer at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). He began his career as an automation engineer at Harris Semiconductor. Burdick replaces Kathy Persian, senior vice president and chief information officer, who will leave the company. Persian has served in her current role since Sept. 2012 and previously held the positions of group vice president, corporate planning, analysis and business process, finance, and group vice president of retail and merchandising systems, IT, with the company. She will stay with SUPERVALU through April 5 to help ensure a smooth and efficient transition.
New Human Resources and Communications Leader named
Michele Murphy has been named executive vice president, human resources and corporate communications for the company, effective March 25. In this role, Murphy oversees all of SUPERVALU’s human resources functions, labor relations and corporate communications. She has spent the last seven years as SUPERVALU’s senior vice president of corporate human resources and labor relations.
Murphy has more than 30 years of experience in a variety of positions dealing with employment law, human resources and labor relations. She has served in roles with international law firm Morgan Lewis, grocery store operator American Stores and roles of increasing responsibility at Albertsons and SUPERVALU. Murphy replaces Dave Pylipow, executive vice president, human resources and corporate communications, who will leave the company at the end of April. Pylipow has served in his current role since 2006, and previously held the position of vice president, human resources at Save-a-Lot. He will stay with SUPERVALU for several weeks to help complete the transition of responsibilities.
With the transaction completed, J. Andrew (Andy) Herring, executive vice president, real estate, market development and legal, will depart the company. Herring joined SUPERVALU in February 1998 as vice president of corporate development and external relations and was promoted to senior vice president in 1999. He has held numerous positions during his career at the company, including management of its in-store pharmacy business from 2002 to 2006. Herring has served in his current role since 2010, during which time he was responsible for real estate, mergers and acquisitions and legal.
Commenting on the departures, Duncan said, “Andy played a critical role in structuring the deal with AB Acquisition LLC and in overseeing much of the important work necessary to complete the transaction. I appreciate his leadership and many contributions to the company over the past 15 years.”
“I would also like to personally thank Dave and Kathy for their contributions to the company. Dave has been an integral member of SUPERVALU for 15 years and of the executive team for the last seven. He has worked tirelessly since the transaction announcement to assist me in building our new organization,” said Duncan.
Duncan continued, “During her tenure, Kathy has completed a tremendous amount of work in finance, especially her leadership of our organizational efficiency initiative, and technology, including her leadership of improved tools and processes supporting our retail businesses. I wish Andy, Dave and Kathy all the best with their future endeavors.”
About SUPERVALU INC.
SUPERVALU Inc. is one of the largest grocery wholesalers and retailers in the U.S. with annual sales of approximately $17 billion. SUPERVALU serves customers across the United States through a network of approximately 3,470 stores composed of 1,950 independent stores serviced primarily by the Company’s food distribution business, 1,331 Save-A-Lot stores, of which 950 are operated by licensee owners; and 191 traditional retail grocery stores. Headquartered in Minnesota, SUPERVALU has approximately 35,000 employees. For more information about SUPERVALU visit www.supervalu.com.
Source: SUPERVALU Inc.
