President praises Safeway, REI for healthcare efforts

Arlington, Va. In a meeting Tuesday with President Obama and business leaders, top executives with Safeway and Recreational Equipment drew praise for their innovative employee healthcare and wellness programs, the Retail Industry Leaders Association reported.

Following the meeting, President Obama referred to the participants, which included REI president and CEO Sally Jewell and Safeway president and CEO Steven Burd, as “some of the best practitioners of prevention and wellness programs -- in the private sector.”

Safeway and REI are both members of RILA. Jewell is also a member of the RILA board of directors.