Topco Names Severin Marketing VP

Linda Severin has joined Topco Associates LLC as VP of marketing, where she will be responsible for brand management, market intelligence and innovation groups. With more than 25 years of experience in consumer packaged goods and the food industry, Severin will report directly to Topco President and CEO Randy Skoda.

“Linda brings a wealth of knowledge in branding and marketing to Topco that will benefit all our members,” Skoda said. “She has built and developed successful private label brands for industry leaders, and we are confident she will drive competitive advantage for our products and strong results for our members in their retail stores.” 

Previously employed by some of the food industry's most recognized companies, including Sara Lee Corp., Campbell Soup Co., Dean Foods and ConAgra Foods, Severin was also Cincinnati-based Kroger's VP of corporate brands from 2007 to 2012, during which time she led a large team responsible for portfolio, brand and loyalty strategy for store brands. Key focus areas included new product development, brand innovation, category vision, packaging, marketing, loyalty and merchandising strategies. During her tenure at Kroger, Severin and her team grew the company’s store brands at an accelerated pace versus comparable private label industry results.

Severin holds an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Tufts University.

Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based Topco is a $12.3 billion, privately held company that provides aggregation, innovation and knowledge management solutions for leading food industry member-owners and customers.