Supervalu Taps Wal-Mart Exec to Lead its Real Estate Initiatives
MINNEAPOLIS - To further its aggressive future growth strategy, Supervalu, Inc. has tapped a former Wal-Mart real estate director, Matthew Desmond, to serve as corporate v.p. of real estate. Supervalu's board of directors also elected Desmond as an officer of the company at its meeting on Aug. 11.
In this newly created position, Desmond will be responsible for overseeing all of Supervalu's real estate functions, including store development, non-operating properties, store design and construction, project management, lease administration, and facility maintenance. He reports to David Boehnen, e.v.p. of Supervalu.
Before joining the wholesaler, Desmond, 43, was Wal-Mart's director of real estate, with responsibility for all of Wal-Mart's domestic property management, lease administration, and asset management functions. Prior to that, Desmond spent 13 years with Kmart Corporation, where his last position was group real estate director, responsible for all real estate functions in the western and central United States and in select international markets.
He has extensive experience in negotiating and structuring real estate transactions, and expertise in all aspects of discount store, supercenter, distribution center, and outlet development. Desmond holds an MBA from the University of Southern California, a JD from the University of San Diego, and a BA from the University of California at Los Angeles.
"Matt is a highly seasoned retail real estate industry executive with a strong track record of accomplishment and exceptional leadership skills," said Boehnen in a statement released yesterday. "I am confident that, under his direction, Supervalu will further strengthen its store development, design, and construction, and other real estate services that are key to the growth of our retail and distribution customers."
In this newly created position, Desmond will be responsible for overseeing all of Supervalu's real estate functions, including store development, non-operating properties, store design and construction, project management, lease administration, and facility maintenance. He reports to David Boehnen, e.v.p. of Supervalu.
Before joining the wholesaler, Desmond, 43, was Wal-Mart's director of real estate, with responsibility for all of Wal-Mart's domestic property management, lease administration, and asset management functions. Prior to that, Desmond spent 13 years with Kmart Corporation, where his last position was group real estate director, responsible for all real estate functions in the western and central United States and in select international markets.
He has extensive experience in negotiating and structuring real estate transactions, and expertise in all aspects of discount store, supercenter, distribution center, and outlet development. Desmond holds an MBA from the University of Southern California, a JD from the University of San Diego, and a BA from the University of California at Los Angeles.
"Matt is a highly seasoned retail real estate industry executive with a strong track record of accomplishment and exceptional leadership skills," said Boehnen in a statement released yesterday. "I am confident that, under his direction, Supervalu will further strengthen its store development, design, and construction, and other real estate services that are key to the growth of our retail and distribution customers."