SUPERVALU CEO Sam Duncan Announces Executive and Banner Leadership Plans

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

SUPERVALU (SVU) today announced several changes to its executive and banner retail leadership teams, as it continues preparations to move forward with a focus on serving wholesale grocery operators, growing its hard discount format and running a smaller, more efficient retail operation following the close of its previously announced transaction with AB Acquisition LLC. That transaction is expected to be completed the week of March 18, 2013.

Todays announcement includes additions to SUPERVALUs corporate leadership team as well as new presidents at Save-A-Lot and Shop N Save. There will be additional announcements in the coming weeks as new president and chief executive officer Sam Duncan continues to finalize his leadership team.

Corporate Leadership Changes

Mark Van Buskirk has been named executive vice president, merchandising and marketing for SUPERVALU, where he will be responsible for overseeing companywide retail merchandising and marketing efforts, along with directing SUPERVALUs private brand offerings and retail pharmacy teams. He spent the past 20 years in leadership positions with Kroger, most recently serving as vice president, meat and seafood merchandising and procurement.

Rob Woseth has been named executive vice president, chief strategy officer. In addition to overseeing real estate and corporate development, Woseth will focus on identifying strategic growth opportunities that support independent grocers, as well as working with banner leadership to build and maximize the companys traditional and discount retail businesses. He spent the past 10 years in business development, strategy and leadership positions with Albertsons Inc. and Albertsons LLC.

Steve Fox has joined SUPERVALU in the role of senior vice president, food merchandising, reporting to Van Buskirk. He comes to SUPERVALU after spending 41 years in retail leadership positions with Fred Meyer, a division of Kroger. During his tenure with Fred Meyer, Fox spent 10 years as vice president of produce merchandising/procurement and 11 years as vice president of grocery merchandising/procurement.

All three appointments are effective immediately.

Casteel Named President and CEO at Save-A-Lot

Duncan also announced a leadership change at the companys hard discount retail chain, appointing Ritchie Casteel as president and CEO of Save-A-Lot, effective immediately. Ritchie has more than 40 years of experience in retail, including over 30 years in a variety of leadership positions with the original Albertsons Inc, where he finished his tenure as vice president of operations for Albertsons Intermountain West Division.

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SUPERVALU CEO Sam Duncan Announces Executive and Banner Leadership Plans