Ahold USA CEO James McCann Resigns
James McCann, CEO of Ahold USA and COO of Ahold Delhaize, has resigned to move out of full-time executive work and will be succeeded by Kevin Holt, currently Delhaize America CEO, who will take the helm at Ahold USA, effective immediately. The change to the retailer’s U.S. senior management team marks the first major executive reshuffle since the completion of the merger between the two international retailers.
McCann – who is also a member of the company’s board and who will remain in a nonexecutive advisory capacity through April 30, 2017, to help guide the leadership transition – joined Ahold in September 2011 as chief commercial officer, taking over responsibilities for Ahold USA two years later. Following the Ahold-Delhaize Group merger in July 2016, he joined the management board and continued in his chief executive role at Ahold USA.
“We thank James for his significant contributions both driving our e-commerce strategy whilst based in Europe and for the last three-and-a-half years driving the transformation at Ahold USA, supporting the Stop & Shop New York, Stop & Shop New England, Giant Landover, Giant Carlisle, Martin’s and Peapod brands," said Ahold Delhaize CEO Dick Boer, who further wished "James and his wife Tania all the best for the future."
Speaking of Holt's appointment, Boer said, “As the new leader of Ahold USA, Kevin brings a wealth of U.S. retail experience, and he is recognized for his leadership skills.”
“I am looking forward to getting to know Ahold USA and the great brands it is supporting,” said Holt, who will relocate to Ahold USA’s Carlisle, Pa.-based headquarters immediately. “I am leaving Delhaize America with pride for the transformations we have accomplished and with gratitude for the support and warmth I received from the many associates and customers.”
With Holt’s departure from Delhaize America to assume his new role at Ahold USA, Delhaize America's Food Lion and Hannaford banner teams are reporting on an interim basis to Ahold Delhaize Deputy CEO Frans Muller. Both Muller and Holt will continue to report to Boer.