Rite Aid has a new information chief

Rite Aid Corp. announced Monday that Steve Rempel, a highly experienced information technology executive, has been named Rite Aid's SVP and chief information officer.

"Steve is an information technology expert with a proven track record in creating, driving and delivering value and results through innovative technology solutions," said Frank Vitrano, SVP and chief administrative officer for Rite Aid. "His vast retail experience will be extremely valuable to Rite Aid as we continue to develop our technology and services platforms and strategies to further strengthen our business operations and enhance the experiences of our valued customers and associates."

In this position, Rempel will have responsibility for all aspects of the company's technology and information operations, including computer systems, network infrastructure, telecommunications and data security as well as the continued development and execution of Rite Aid's immediate and long-term information technology strategy. Rempel will report to Vitrano.

Before joining Rite Aid, Rempel served as chief information officer, president and CEO for Lenexa, Kan.,-based Balance Innovations, the leading provider of reconciliation and cash management solutions for the retail industry. During his tenure at Balance Innovations, he had oversight for the company's technology strategy and provided strategic, financial and operational direction.

Rempel began his career at Safeway, one of the nation's largest food and drug retailers. During his 35 years at Safeway, Rempel held a variety of information technology positions with increasing responsibility. Serving as the organization's group VP of application development, he had enterprise-wide responsibility for all elements of the information technology applications process, including design, development, procurement, development and support.

Rempel earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia and will receive his MBA from Auburn University this spring.