Schnuck Promotes Senior Managers; Realigns Meat, Seafood
ST. LOUIS -- Schnuck Markets, Inc. has promoted three senior managers to positions under new disciplines, and also made staff realignments in its meat, seafood and deli departments.
Richard (Rick) Frede, Jr., 52, group v.p. of grocery, dairy and frozen foods, has been promoted to s.v.p. of logistics and manufacturing, the company said. In his new post, Frede will report to Scott Schnuck, president and c.e.o., and will be responsible for all warehousing, transportation, and manufacturing facilities.
Frede, a native of St. Louis, joined Schnucks as a courtesy clerk at the Cool Valley store in 1971. He quickly rose through the ranks, building his career working in the company stores rising from store manager to division manager. He became group vice president in 1990.
Commenting on Frede's new role, Scott Schnuck said, "Rick's experience on the procurement side of the business, as well as his store management experience, gives him a unique perspective in operating our facilities and fleet of trucks on the supply side."
Frede's old role will be assumed by Lori A. Caster, formerly v.p. and controller of Schnuck Markets. As the new group v.p. of grocery, dairy and frozen foods, Caster, a certified public accountant, will report to Randy Wedel, s.v.p. of marketing and merchandising.
Caster, 39, will have responsibility for selecting, procuring, and pricing products that will find their way onto grocery shelves of all Schnucks and Logli stores in seven states. A former partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, Caster came to Schnucks in 2001 from Bridge Information Systems, where she was controller.
During the past five years, Caster has been a part of the Schnucks leadership team that has seen the $2.2 billion enterprise through a series of growth initiatives, including the acquisition of 12 Seessel's stores in the Mid-South.
Scott Schnuck said he anticipated that grocery-buying operations will benefit greatly from Caster's financial background. "I believe Lori's keen analytical skills and expertise in audit and business advisory services as well as her management skills, will enable her to be a strong advocate for customers as she works to strengthen vendor relationships and bring in the best variety of food at the best values."
Schnucks will begin the searching for a new controller to replace Caster in the coming weeks.
Mark G. Zimmerman, 45, v.p. of information technology, now has full responsibility for the systems development and retail systems areas. In his new role, Zimmerman reports to Todd Schnuck, e.v.p.
Zimmerman, whose career began in the Air Force, has more than 20 years of experience in information systems. He joined Schnucks in 1997 as manager of systems development and since then has helped to oversee the implementation of several major advancements in the company's merchandising systems.
The trio of promotions coincided with the retirement of a key member of Schnucks executive team: Robert (Bob) Drury, 59, s.v.p., who announced his retirement earlier this year.
"We were extremely fortunate to have had the benefit of Bob's experience and expertise for the past 11 years," said Scott Schnuck. "Having worked for Pet Incorporated for 25 years prior to joining Schnucks, Bob came on board with a unique background of manufacturing, logistics and information technology at a time when both were in critical transition stages for the company. By effectively meeting the challenges in these areas, Bob has helped our company improve in efficiency and grow in ways that will continue to benefit our customers down the road."
In a related move, Schnucks also realigned its meat and seafood departments, which will result in the promotion and gradual transition of several key company leaders.
Edward (Ed) R. Meyer, 51, has been named v.p. of meat and seafood, reporting to Randy Wedel, s.v.p. of marketing and merchandising. Formerly, v.p. of deli/seafood/carryout foods, Meyer will move to the position previously held by Cyril (Cy) A. Jansen, 69, who joined Schnucks after the Bettendorf-Rapp acquisition in 1970, and who announced his retirement plans earlier this year. Since then, the company has been working on merging meat and seafood operations.
Said Scott Schnuck, "Combining meat and seafood into one operation will enable us to take a more united approach to merchandising these main course items, and provide for even more efficient service to customers as they plan their meals."
Meyer started with Schnucks as a meat cutter, and worked through college. He gained experience in industrial engineering at Schnucks before returning to the meat department as a buyer. In 1982, he was promoted to deli buyer and then director before rising to v.p. His new position brings him full circle in his service to Schnucks and its perishable departments.
Meyer is a former president of the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) and has been a member of the organization since 1980 and currently serves on its board. Meyer and Jansen have been jointly recognized for their contributions to Schnucks' industry reputation for top-quality perishables.
Meyer will continue Jansen's efforts to differentiate Schnucks in all markets with its restaurant-quality Certified Angus Beef brand, for which customers in 102 Schnucks' stores in seven states have helped make Schnucks the world's largest retailer of CAB.
Schnucks also named Melissa Bunch, 39, to the position of interim director of deli and prepared foods, a department customers have made one of the fastest growing aspects of the Schnucks convenience prepared foods business.
Bunch joined Schnucks in 1985 as a deli clerk at the Arsenal store. Her most recent position was as category manager in the deli/seafood department. She will now have responsibility for deli and food bars at all store locations and will oversee the operation of the company's central kitchen in O'Fallon, Missouri and Chef's Express departments. Bunch will report to Randy Wedel.
Schnuck Markets, Inc. operates 102 stores (including five Logli stores) and 99 pharmacies in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Iowa.
Richard (Rick) Frede, Jr., 52, group v.p. of grocery, dairy and frozen foods, has been promoted to s.v.p. of logistics and manufacturing, the company said. In his new post, Frede will report to Scott Schnuck, president and c.e.o., and will be responsible for all warehousing, transportation, and manufacturing facilities.
Frede, a native of St. Louis, joined Schnucks as a courtesy clerk at the Cool Valley store in 1971. He quickly rose through the ranks, building his career working in the company stores rising from store manager to division manager. He became group vice president in 1990.
Commenting on Frede's new role, Scott Schnuck said, "Rick's experience on the procurement side of the business, as well as his store management experience, gives him a unique perspective in operating our facilities and fleet of trucks on the supply side."
Frede's old role will be assumed by Lori A. Caster, formerly v.p. and controller of Schnuck Markets. As the new group v.p. of grocery, dairy and frozen foods, Caster, a certified public accountant, will report to Randy Wedel, s.v.p. of marketing and merchandising.
Caster, 39, will have responsibility for selecting, procuring, and pricing products that will find their way onto grocery shelves of all Schnucks and Logli stores in seven states. A former partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, Caster came to Schnucks in 2001 from Bridge Information Systems, where she was controller.
During the past five years, Caster has been a part of the Schnucks leadership team that has seen the $2.2 billion enterprise through a series of growth initiatives, including the acquisition of 12 Seessel's stores in the Mid-South.
Scott Schnuck said he anticipated that grocery-buying operations will benefit greatly from Caster's financial background. "I believe Lori's keen analytical skills and expertise in audit and business advisory services as well as her management skills, will enable her to be a strong advocate for customers as she works to strengthen vendor relationships and bring in the best variety of food at the best values."
Schnucks will begin the searching for a new controller to replace Caster in the coming weeks.
Mark G. Zimmerman, 45, v.p. of information technology, now has full responsibility for the systems development and retail systems areas. In his new role, Zimmerman reports to Todd Schnuck, e.v.p.
Zimmerman, whose career began in the Air Force, has more than 20 years of experience in information systems. He joined Schnucks in 1997 as manager of systems development and since then has helped to oversee the implementation of several major advancements in the company's merchandising systems.
The trio of promotions coincided with the retirement of a key member of Schnucks executive team: Robert (Bob) Drury, 59, s.v.p., who announced his retirement earlier this year.
"We were extremely fortunate to have had the benefit of Bob's experience and expertise for the past 11 years," said Scott Schnuck. "Having worked for Pet Incorporated for 25 years prior to joining Schnucks, Bob came on board with a unique background of manufacturing, logistics and information technology at a time when both were in critical transition stages for the company. By effectively meeting the challenges in these areas, Bob has helped our company improve in efficiency and grow in ways that will continue to benefit our customers down the road."
In a related move, Schnucks also realigned its meat and seafood departments, which will result in the promotion and gradual transition of several key company leaders.
Edward (Ed) R. Meyer, 51, has been named v.p. of meat and seafood, reporting to Randy Wedel, s.v.p. of marketing and merchandising. Formerly, v.p. of deli/seafood/carryout foods, Meyer will move to the position previously held by Cyril (Cy) A. Jansen, 69, who joined Schnucks after the Bettendorf-Rapp acquisition in 1970, and who announced his retirement plans earlier this year. Since then, the company has been working on merging meat and seafood operations.
Said Scott Schnuck, "Combining meat and seafood into one operation will enable us to take a more united approach to merchandising these main course items, and provide for even more efficient service to customers as they plan their meals."
Meyer started with Schnucks as a meat cutter, and worked through college. He gained experience in industrial engineering at Schnucks before returning to the meat department as a buyer. In 1982, he was promoted to deli buyer and then director before rising to v.p. His new position brings him full circle in his service to Schnucks and its perishable departments.
Meyer is a former president of the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) and has been a member of the organization since 1980 and currently serves on its board. Meyer and Jansen have been jointly recognized for their contributions to Schnucks' industry reputation for top-quality perishables.
Meyer will continue Jansen's efforts to differentiate Schnucks in all markets with its restaurant-quality Certified Angus Beef brand, for which customers in 102 Schnucks' stores in seven states have helped make Schnucks the world's largest retailer of CAB.
Schnucks also named Melissa Bunch, 39, to the position of interim director of deli and prepared foods, a department customers have made one of the fastest growing aspects of the Schnucks convenience prepared foods business.
Bunch joined Schnucks in 1985 as a deli clerk at the Arsenal store. Her most recent position was as category manager in the deli/seafood department. She will now have responsibility for deli and food bars at all store locations and will oversee the operation of the company's central kitchen in O'Fallon, Missouri and Chef's Express departments. Bunch will report to Randy Wedel.
Schnuck Markets, Inc. operates 102 stores (including five Logli stores) and 99 pharmacies in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Iowa.