Albertsons, Safeway unveil new senior leadership team upon merger
BOISE, Idaho and PLEASANTON, Calif. — AB Acquisition LLC (Albertsons) and Safeway announced on 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 CEO, Robert Edwards, who will serve as the combined company's president and CEO. "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."
Safeway shareholders approved the proposed merger agreement on 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.
After regulatory approval and closing of the transaction, the new company will have the following leadership team:
Bob Gordon, EVP and general counsel
Shane Sampson, EVP, marketing and merchandising
Andy Scoggin, EVP, human resources, labor relations, public affairs and government affairs
Jerry Tidwell, EVP, supply chain and manufacturing
Lee Wilson, EVP and chief administrative officer
Bob Dimond, EVP and CFO, reporting to Wilson
Justin Ewing, EVP, corporate development and real estate, reporting to Wilson
Barry Libenson, interim EVP and CIO, reporting to Wilson. Libenson is expected to be with the new company through March 2015, at which time a successor will be named.
Wayne Denningham, EVP and COO, South Region
Justin Dye, EVP and COO, East Region
Kelly Griffith, EVP and COO, North Region
The new company will be comprised of three regions and 14 retail divisions. The company stated that it 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. The 14 divisions will be supported by corporate offices in Boise, Idaho; Pleasanton, Calif., and Phoenix, Ariz. Furthermore, no banner changes are planned.
The division presidents for the new company, who will report to the COO 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
"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. The division teams will have the responsibility to have the right assortment for their markets."