Winn-Dixie Names Chief Development Officer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. has named real estate development veteran Paul Novak to lead its new development efforts, which the company hopes will improve market share. He joins the company on March 1, 2004 and will report directly to Winn-Dixie president and c.e.o. Frank Lazaran.
In his new role as chief development officer, Novak will be responsible for all of Winn-Dixie's real estate, design and construction efforts and overall asset management for the company's 1,078 stores. He will focus on defining the company's core markets to better target its future investment and growth strategy. Simultaneously, he will be directing a detailed review of all non-core markets and developing strategies for exiting these markets. Additionally, Novak will oversee the company's strategic priorities for store image makeovers, which will include exterior and interior decor, lighting, etc., helping to create a clearly differentiated Winn-Dixie brand position.
Novak brings more than 34 years of extensive real estate development experience to Winn-Dixie. He has a strong background in brand positioning, market planning, site and location analysis, and in developing growth strategies for companies including Burger King, Marriott International, Wyndham International and La Quinta Motor Inns.
Most recently, Novak served as e.v.p., chief development officer for Burger King Corporation's North America division. Previously, he was president of Bedrock Partners, a private investment and consulting group that focused on acquiring hotels and repositioning them.
"Paul has the experience and vision Winn-Dixie needs to successfully execute its market positioning process for expansion and repositioning in our core markets, evaluating our non-core markets and our remodeling efforts," said Lazaran. "Our customers expect and deserve a convenient and pleasant shopping experience. Paul will lead our efforts to expand our share of stores in the core markets and make the much-needed upgrades to our stores. We feel fortunate to have someone of Paul's caliber on our team."
Novak replaces s.v.p. of real estate Dennis Sheehan, who has resigned from the company.
In his new role as chief development officer, Novak will be responsible for all of Winn-Dixie's real estate, design and construction efforts and overall asset management for the company's 1,078 stores. He will focus on defining the company's core markets to better target its future investment and growth strategy. Simultaneously, he will be directing a detailed review of all non-core markets and developing strategies for exiting these markets. Additionally, Novak will oversee the company's strategic priorities for store image makeovers, which will include exterior and interior decor, lighting, etc., helping to create a clearly differentiated Winn-Dixie brand position.
Novak brings more than 34 years of extensive real estate development experience to Winn-Dixie. He has a strong background in brand positioning, market planning, site and location analysis, and in developing growth strategies for companies including Burger King, Marriott International, Wyndham International and La Quinta Motor Inns.
Most recently, Novak served as e.v.p., chief development officer for Burger King Corporation's North America division. Previously, he was president of Bedrock Partners, a private investment and consulting group that focused on acquiring hotels and repositioning them.
"Paul has the experience and vision Winn-Dixie needs to successfully execute its market positioning process for expansion and repositioning in our core markets, evaluating our non-core markets and our remodeling efforts," said Lazaran. "Our customers expect and deserve a convenient and pleasant shopping experience. Paul will lead our efforts to expand our share of stores in the core markets and make the much-needed upgrades to our stores. We feel fortunate to have someone of Paul's caliber on our team."
Novak replaces s.v.p. of real estate Dennis Sheehan, who has resigned from the company.