Haggen Names Clougher CEO

Haggen Inc. has named industry veteran John Clougher as its new CEO, effective Sept. 8.

Clougher replaces the Office of the Presidents transition team -- comprising Clement Stevens, John Turley and Ron Stevens -- which had helmed the company since December 2012, following the departure of former CEO C.J. Gabriel Jr.

Turley and Clement Stevens will remain with the Bellingham, Wash.-based chain as SVPs. The office's third member and CFO, Ron Stevens, left the company previously.  Blake Barnett has replaces Stevens as CFO. 

With more than 30 years of industry experience, Clougher served as CEO of Andronico's Community Markets in Northern California. Prior to that, he was president of Whole Foods Markets' Northwest region.

"John is the ideal leader to help us further establish Haggen as the premier grocer in the Pacific Northwest," Haggen Board Director John Caple said. "His diverse skill set encompasses the grocery and specialty food industries with deep knowledge of the Pacific Northwest grocery landscape."

Haggen currently operates 18 stores in Washington and Oregon, of which 16 have been rebannered under the Haggen Northwest Fresh name.