Supervalu finalizes leadership team

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu announced that Janel Haugarth who will remain with the company as EVP and president of independent business and supply chain services. The announcement comes as Sam Duncan, Supervalu president and chief executive officer, continues finalizing his leadership team following the sale of five retail banners to AB Acquisition LLC, a transaction that was completed on March 21.

Haugarth, who has spent more than 35 years in a variety of leadership positions with Supervalu, agreed to continue as EVP and president of independent business and supply chain services. Haugarth will oversee the company’s wholesale and distribution business which is expected to account for nearly 50% of Supervalu’s annual revenues after the transaction closes. Supervalu’s Independent Business division is the primary grocery supplier to nearly 2,000 of the country’s most successful independent grocery retailers across 43 states. She also will lead supply chain services for the company which consists of 19 distribution centers across the country.

“It was a priority for me to keep Janel with the organization going forward,” said Duncan. “She is highly respected by our independent retailers and her experience and leadership ensures stability as we continue to help these important stakeholders grow and prosper.”

Supervalu also announced new executive appointments.

Randy Burdick has been named EVP, chief information officer for the company, effective March 25. In this role, Burdick is responsible for Supervalu’s information technology infrastructure and personnel, as well as the shared service/contact center organization. He joins Supervalu after spending the past eight years as chief information officer at OfficeMax.

Burdick has more than 28 years in a variety of technology leadership positions, including experience as group information officer for Hewlett-Packard and chief information officer at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). He began his career as an automation engineer at Harris Semiconductor. Burdick replaces Kathy Persian, senior vice president and chief information officer, who will leave the company. Persian has served in her current role since Sept. 2012 and previously held the positions of group vice president, corporate planning, analysis and business process, finance, and group vice president of retail and merchandising systems, IT, with the company. She will stay with Supervalu through April 5 to help ensure a smooth and efficient transition.

Michele Murphy has been named EVP, human resources and corporate communications for the company, effective March 25. In this role, Murphy oversees all of SUPERVALU’s human resources functions, labor relations and corporate communications. She has spent the last seven years as Supervalu’s SVP corporate human resources and labor relations.

Murphy has more than 30 years of experience in a variety of positions dealing with employment law, human resources and labor relations. She has served in roles with international law firm Morgan Lewis, grocery store operator American Stores and roles of increasing responsibility at Albertsons and Supervalu. Murphy replaces Dave Pylipow, executive vice president, human resources and corporate communications, who will leave the company at the end of April. Pylipow has served in his current role since 2006, and previously held the position of vice president, human resources at Save-a-Lot. He will stay with Supervalu for several weeks to help complete the transition of responsibilities.

With the transaction completed, J. Andrew (Andy) Herring, EVP real estate, market development and legal, will depart the company. Herring joined Supervalu in February 1998 as VP corporate development and external relations and was promoted to senior vice president in 1999. He has held numerous positions during his career at the company, including management of its in-store pharmacy business from 2002 to 2006. Herring has served in his current role since 2010, during which time he was responsible for real estate, mergers and acquisitions and legal.