Corporate Governance

West coast retailer Smart & Final could be heading East soon thanks to big plans for a warehouse club-like concept called Extra it believes has nationwide potential for more than 1,250 stores.

Morton Salt has invested $1 million in a state-of-the art food lab at its research and development center in Elgin, Illinois, to support the food industry’s growing desire to reduce sodium levels in comestibles.  

By creating a dedicated food lab at its R&D center, Morton Salt is adding new equipment and 1,300 sq. ft. of space for its team of food scientists and technical staff. Morton also plans to focus on new product development, enhanced formulations, application testing and technical support.

ValueVision Media, a multichannel electronic retailer operating as ShopHQ via TV, Internet and mobile, has named Mark Bozek as CEO. It has also reconstituted its board of directors and appointed Bob Rosenblatt as its non-executive chairman.

Bozek succeeds Keith Stewart, who has resigned as CEO and as a director of the company. Bozek has more than 20 years of senior executive experience in the multichannel commerce, electronic retailing and entertainment industries, including having served as CEO of HSN, SVP of QVC and as a producer at Fox Television.

Kevin Holt was named CEO of Delhaize America to oversee U.S. operations that account for 60% of Belgium-based retailer’s annual sales of $28 billion.

Green Dot Corporation has hired Thien Truong as SVP of business development and sales. Truong comes to Green Dot from American Express, where he most recently served as VP of retail and mall channels for the U.S. Payment Options group.

While at American Express, Truong led the expansion of the brand's prepaid solutions, including the nationwide launch of its prepaid card, Serve.

If the retail industry needed a catalyst for change, one that nearly mandates more efficient and sustainable packaging practices, FedEx recently provided the blowtorch to ignite it.

Mississauga, Ontario -- Walmart Canada has appointed an executive from Delhaize Group, Dirk Van den Berghe, as president and CEO, effective Aug. 1.

Van den Berghe, who has 30 years of international business experience, most recently served as CEO of Delhaize’s Belgium and Luxembourg operations. His appointment at Walmart was seen as a way for the discounter to strengthen its grocery business in Canada.

Plano, Texas -- Reporting to Joel Mussat, executive VP and chief omnichannel officer, Rent-A-Center, Ian Cohen has been charged with working cross-functionally to create a seamless approach to the consumer experience across a variety of shopping channels. His responsibilities include the design, development, and implementation of a digital-commerce solution that ensures customer demands are met.

Melville, N.Y. - Global Facility Management & Construction has hired Stacy Brown as director, strategic planning and development. In her new role, Brown will oversee determining Global’s strategic policy as it relates to future business.

Brown was a key member of the executive team at ServiceChannel for the past 15 years. Prior to ServiceChannel, she worked for a large retailer in facilities management and construction.
 

Latham, N.Y. -- After announcing the realignment of corporate management earlier this month, DWM Facilities Maintenance announced its newly developed Service Enhancement Plan (SEP) to better serve the needs of its existing clients and drive long-term growth. In this strategic shift, DWM will expand the Client Lead role and add multiple account manager positions.