Supervalu Chief Rounds Out Exec Team

With the sale of its five regional retail banners completed, Supervalu Inc. has announced further appointments to its executive team, including Janel Haugarth, who will remain with the company as EVP and president of independent business and supply chain services.

“It was a priority for me to keep Janel with the organization going forward,” said Sam Duncan, Supervalu president and CEO. “She is highly respected by our independent retailers and her experience and leadership ensures stability as we continue to help these important stakeholders grow and prosper.”

Haugarth, who has spent more than 35 years in a variety of leadership positions with Supervalu, will oversee the company’s wholesale and distribution business, which is expected to account for nearly 50 percent of Supervalu’s annual revenues. The Minneapolis-based company’s independent business division is the primary grocery supplier to nearly 2,000 of the country’s most successful independent grocery retailers across 43 states. She also will lead supply chain services for the company which consists of 19 distribution centers across the country.

Other Supervalu executive movements this week:

Randy Burdick has been named EVP and chief information officer, as which he is responsible for Supervalu’s information technology infrastructure and personnel, as well as the shared service/contact center organization. He joins Supervalu after spending the past eight years as chief information officer at OfficeMax, a company which Duncan formerly led.

Burdick replaces Kathy Persian, SVP and chief information officer, who will leave the company. Persian previously held the positions of group VP over corporate planning, analysis and business process; finance; and retail and merchandising systems/IT. She will stay on through April 5 to help ensure a smooth and efficient transition.

Michele Murphy has been named EVP of human resources and corporate communications, overseeing all HR functions, labor relations and corporate communications. She has spent the last seven years as Supervalu’s SVP of corporate HR and labor relations. Murphy replaces Dave Pylipow, who will leave the company at the end of April.

With the transaction completed, J. Andrew (Andy) Herring, EVP of real estate, market development and legal, will leave the company. Since joining Supervalu in February 1998, he has served numerous departments including corporate development and external relations, and management of the in-store pharmacy business.

“Andy played a critical role in structuring the deal with AB Acquisition LLC and in overseeing much of the important work necessary to complete the transaction. I appreciate his leadership and many contributions to the company over the past 15 years,” Duncan said. “I would also like to personally thank Dave and Kathy for their contributions to the company. Dave has been an integral member of Supervalu for 15 years and of the executive team for the last seven. He has worked tirelessly since the transaction announcement to assist me in building our new organization."

Duncan continued, “During her tenure, Kathy has completed a tremendous amount of work in finance, especially her leadership of our organizational efficiency initiative, and technology, including her leadership of improved tools and processes supporting our retail businesses. I wish Andy, Dave and Kathy all the best with their future endeavors.”

Supervalu Inc. operates through a network composed of 1,950 independent stores serviced primarily by the company’s food distribution business; 1,331 Save-A-Lot stores, of which 950 are operated by licensee owners; and 191 traditional retail grocery stores.