Safeway Nets Foodservice Guru to Run Perishables

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. last week appointed Des Hague to the post of president, g.m. of perishables, succeeding Rojon Hasker, who the company said will dedicate herself exclusively to her existing role as president, g.m., Lifestyle.

Hasker had been responsible for both perishables at Safeway and Lifestyle, which is the chain's progressive, customer-solutions-oriented supermarket prototype.

Safeway said Hague will oversee produce, floral, meat, seafood, food service, and bakery. He comes to Safeway from Hot Stuff Foods (formerly Orion Food Systems) -- an international food franchiser with more than 2,000 locations worldwide -- where he spent three years as chairman, c.e.o., and president. Prior to that, Hague spent two years as v.p., fresh food merchandising at 7-Eleven in Dallas, where he was responsible for the chain's foodservice program across more than 25,000 locations.

"Bringing someone of Des' caliber to Safeway will provide our company with an even greater opportunity to build on our already strong reputation for superior perishables," said Brian Cornell, Safeway e.v.p., c.m.o. "His strong track record as an executive across some of the world's best food service and CPG companies is well suited to Safeway's results-oriented culture and overall business objectives."

Earlier, Hague spent several years at Maytag's Commercial Business Unit in Dallas as v.p. of strategic marketing. He began his career with a range of marketing and management positions in the Pepsico and Whitebread organizations in the U.K. and Europe.

Safeway operates 1,767 stores in the United States and Canada and had annual sales of $38.4 billion in 2005.
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