Safeway's Dominick's division president resigns

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Thursday announced the resignation of Don Keprta, president of its Chicago-area Dominick's Finer Foods division. 

"Don has contributed significantly to the Dominick's stores. His commitment and innovation helped the stores evolve to best serve the Chicagoland customers,” stated Steve Burd, Safeway chairman, president and CEO. “We are fortunate that he has produced a team that is prepared to continue to build on our current momentum.”

As president of Dominick's since 2005, Keprta is credited with opening a number of new stores, expanding the lifestyle store remodels and improving store operating standards and metrics. As a corporate leader, Keprta also was very active in the community, sitting on a number of committees and boards for charitable organizations in the Chicago area. He also served on the executive committee and retail board for the Illinois Retail Merchants Associations and as a board member for the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. 

Brian Baer, Dominick's CFO and VP finance, will assume the role of acting president of Dominick's. Baer joined Safeway in 2001 as VP finance for the Phoenix division. In 2004 he became group VP finance, planning and analysis at the company's corporate office. Baer came to Dominick's in his current role in 2008. 

Prior to joining Safeway, Baer spent more than 12 years with the Marriott Corp. serving in various financial management positions in operations, corporate finance and real estate development.