Albertsons, Safeway name leadership team for newly-merged company

AB Acquisition LLC (Albertsons) and Safeway Inc. announced Friday the new senior leadership team and division leaders for the combined company that will take effect upon the closing of the proposed merger transaction, which is pending customary regulatory approvals.

“We’re drawing on the strong talent within both companies to build an innovative, customer-focused and growth-driven company,” said Safeway president and chief executive officer Robert Edwards, who will also serve in those top posts in the new combined company.

“We are confident in this team’s ability to build a great company that’s positioned to win over the long term by earning the loyalty of grocery shoppers in every market we serve and delivering superior operational and financial results,” Edwards said.

The company will keep the focus and financial responsibility at the division level, but take full advantage of the expertise, vision and core capabilities of the corporate team.

After regulatory approval and closing of the transaction, the new company will have the following leadership team:

Bob Gordon, Executive Vice President & General Counsel;

Shane Sampson, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Merchandising;

Andy Scoggin, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Public Affairs & Government Affairs;

Jerry Tidwell, Executive Vice President, Supply Chain & Manufacturing;

Wayne Denningham, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, South Region;

Justin Dye, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, East Region; and,

Kelly Griffith, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, North Region.

In addition, Lee Wilson has been named executive vice president and chief administrative officer of the new company.

Reporting to him will be Bob Dimond, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer; Justin Ewing, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development & Real Estate, and Barry Libenson, Interim Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer.

Libenson is expected to be with the new company through next March, at which time a successor will be named.

The new company will be comprised of three regions and 14 retail divisions.

The 14 divisions will be supported by corporate offices in Pleasanton, Boise, Idaho, and Phoenix.

The division presidents for the new company, who will report to the chief operating officer for their respective regions, will be:

— Dennis Bassler, Portland Division, North Region;

— Paul McTavish, Denver Division, North Region;

— Susan Morris, Intermountain Division, North Region;

— Tom Schwilke, Northern California Division, North Region;

— Dan Valenzuela, Seattle Division, North Region;

— Shane Dorcheus, Southwest Division, South Region;

— Scott Hayes, Southern Division, South Region;

— Sidney Hopper, Houston Division, South Region;

— Lori Raya, Southern California Division, South Region;

— Robert Taylor, United Division, South Region;

— Steve Burnham, Eastern Division, East Region;

— Jim Perkins, Acme Division, East Region;

— Jim Rice, Shaw’s Division, East Region;

— Mike Withers, Jewel-Osco Division, East Region.

No banner changes are planned.

“We know the best way to grow our business is to have the highest quality fresh departments, lower prices, clean, well-stocked stores and the best customer service in the market,” said Bob Miller, Albertsons current CEO, who will become executive chairman of the combined company upon completion of the transaction.

“Our teams will focus on delivering what customers want locally, and we will give our store teams more flexibility to make decisions that are right for their neighborhoods,” he added. “The division teams will have the responsibility to have the right assortment for their markets.”

Safeway shareholders approved the proposed merger agreement July 25, under which AB Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Albertsons, will acquire all outstanding shares of Safeway. The transaction is under review by the Federal Trade Commission and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year, pending FTC approval.

Safeway Inc. operates Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, and Carrs stores. It is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in the U.S., with sales of $35.1 billion in 2013.

The company operates 1,331 stores in 20 states and the District of Columbia, 13 distribution centers and 19 manufacturing plants, and employs approximately 138,000 employees. The company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.

AB Acquisition LLC – or Albertsons – was established in 2006. It operates ACME, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, Lucky, Shaws, Star Market and Super Saver, and stores under the United Family of stores, Amigos, Market Street and United Supermarkets.

One of its marketing goals is to become the favorite food and drug retailer in every market it serves.

The company is privately owned by Cerberus Capital Management, Kimco Realty Corporation, Klaff Realty, Lubert-Adler Partners and Schottenstein Stores Corporation. It operates 1,060 stores and 14 distribution centers in 29 states and employs approximately 115,000 associates.

For more information about Safeway, sign on to the company’s Web site at www.safeway.com/

For more information about Albertsons, sign on to the company’s Web site at www.albertsons.com/