Another Leadership Change at Farm Fresh

The president of Supervalu Inc.'s Virginia-based Farm Fresh store chain - the banner's third leader in less than four years - left the company as of Tuesday, the chain's parent company announced.

Supervalu spokesperson Jeff Swanson said Bill Parker, president of Farm Fresh for five months, is "pursuing new opportunities" and gave little explanation for the abrupt departure, the Virginian-Pilot reported. "The change is just going to allow the company to go in a different direction," Swanson confirmed in a phone call to PG.

Taking over as interim president is Chad Ferguson, who joined Minnesota-based Supervalu as VP of marketing and consumer insights this summer after a stint with the Kroger Co., last serving as customer relationship manager. Swanson said the company "will begin a search for a new president immediately."

Parker was officially made president of the 43-store chain five months ago; he had served as acting president since September. A 14-year Farm Fresh veteran, Parker replaced Gaelo de la Fuente, who led the chain for two and a half years. De La Fuente succeeded Ron Dennis, who retired after 12 years at the helm. De La Fuente now is a Wal-Mart executive based in Canada.

In March, Supervalu laid off about 80 employees at Farm Fresh among 1,100 let go company wide after closing its deal to sell off five other regional banners.