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BOISE, Idaho — Ahead of its acquisition of five supermarket chains from Supervalu Inc., a deal that is due to close this month, Albertsons LLC has named the executives who will head those chains and their major divisions, which together will operate about 877 stores.
Ahead of its acquisition of five supermarket chains from Supervalu Inc., a deal that is due to close this month, Albertsons LLC has named the executives who will head those chains and their major divisions, which together will operate about 877 stores.
Albertsons officials say that the company is relying on veteran retailers with roots at the company and long careers in retailing — to run retail divisions. They are due to take the reins following the close of the $3.3 billion transaction, which is slated for the third week in March.
In addition, the company has announced that it will form a new Northwest Division office, based in Portland, Ore., to manage operations for stores in northern Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
All of the new division presidents are either currently employed by Albertsons, or worked for the company (or one of its previous incarnations) in the past.
Malvern, Pa.-based Acme Markets, for example, will be headed by Jim Perkins, who previously served as vice president of operations for Albertsons Inc., and then later as director of operations for Albertsons LLC’s Southern Division.
Perkins began his career at Albertsons in 1982. He is now returning to the company, after having held the role of regional vice president at Ahold USA’s Giant/Landover division.
The Jewel Osco chain will be headed by William Emmons, who served as president of the Southern Division of Albertsons LLC until his retirement in October 2010.
Emmons, who began his career at Albertsons in 1971, is retuning to the company to take this leadership role.
The Shaws & Star Markets chains in New England, which together operate 169 stores, will be led by Shane Sampson, another executive who is returning to Albertsons after a stint with Giant/Landover, where he served as senior vice president of operations.
Sampson was previously vice president of marketing and merchandising for Albertsons LLC’s Southern Division. He started with Albertsons in 1983 and rose through the ranks to become president of that company’s Intermountain and Florida divisions.
The stores operating under the Albertsons banner — including the stores being acquired from Supervalu and the ones that have been operated by Albertsons LLC, will be organized into five regional divisions.
The new Northwest Division will be headed by Dennis Bassler, who is currently a district manager in the Albertsons LLC Southern Division. He formerly served as senior vice president for marketing and merchandising at Albertsons Inc., where he began his career in 1981.
Susan Morris, currently vice president of marketing and merchandising for the Albertsons LLC Southwest Division, will serve as president of the Intermountain Division. Morris began her career with Albertsons in Denver in 1985.
The Southern California Division will be run by Wayne Denningham, who is currently the Albertsons LLC Southern Division president. Denningham began his career at Albertsons in 1977.
Mike Withers, currently vice president of Albertsons LLC Marketing and Merchandising for the Albertson LLC’s Southern Division, will take the helm as president of that division. Withers began his career at Albertsons in 1976.
Finally, the Southwest Division will continue to be headed by Shane Dorcheus, who currently holds that post at Albertsons LLC. Dorcheus started with Albertsons in 1980.
According to a press release, Bob Butler, currently executive vice president of operations for Albertsons LLC, will be named chief operating officer with responsibility for all the Albertsons banner stores.
Albertsons LLC’s current chief strategy officer, Justin Dye, will also be named chief operating officer, with responsibilities for the Acme, Jewel, and Shaws/Star Markets banners, as well as for the whole company’s pharmacy operation, which will be operated by an entity known as New Albertsons Inc. (NAI).
Albertsons LLC and NAI will both be operated by AB Acquisition Inc., which will be led by chief executive officer Bob Miller.
Rick Navarro, chief financial officer; Paul Rowan, general counsel; Andrew Scoggin, executive vice president of human resources and public affairs; and Mark Bates, chief information officer will oversee their respective functions at both Albertsons LLC and NAI.
Miller, who has led Albertsons LLC since 2006, started his career at Albertsons Inc. and spent more than 30 years with the company.
