Stop & Shop Cos. Chairman Retires
Cos. here said Robert G. Tobin has retired as chairman, effective last Friday.
The company said his retirement was part of a long-range personal plan. It also said Ahold, the Netherlands-based company that owns the majority of Stop & Shop, will name a new chairman within a couple of months.
Tobin, 60, will continue as an adviser to Ahold's supervisory board. The company said he will also undertake special projects for Cees van der Hoeven, Ahold chairman, regarding mergers and acquisitions in the U.S., as well as other business opportunities.
Tobin will also remain a member of the board of Bompreco Supermarcados, Ahold's Brazil-based partner, and of Disco Ahold Holdings, the joint venture company that holds Ahold's interests in Disco in Argentina and Santa Isabel in Chile.
William J. Grize, Stop & Shop president and CEO, said he appreciated Tobin's years of service and added, "We are delighted he will remain an integral part of the Ahold family." Tobin joined Stop & Shop in 1960, moving up the ranks from store manager to general sales manager for the Connecticut division, vice president of sales and executive vice president of sales and marketing. He was named executive vice president and chief operating officer in 1985; president and chief operating officer in November 1989; president and chief executive officer in May 1994, and chairman in January 1995.
A&P Taps New Vice Chairman
MONTVALE, N.J. -- A&P here said Aaron Malinsky has been named vice chairman of the company.
Malinsky was previously executive vice president, development and strategic planning. In his new position he will continue to be responsible for strategic planning, real estate, design and construction and industrial relations and will continue to report to Christian W.E. Haub, president and chief executive officer.
Malinsky was president and chief executive officer of A&P's Waldbaum division from 1986 until 1991. He left A&P the following year to lead a leveraged buyout of Victory Markets, Norwich, N.Y., and remained there until late 1994, when Victory filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Since rejoining A&P in 1996, the company said Malinsky has been instrumental in accelerating A&P's new store development program.
Nash Finch Promotes Keeney
MINNEAPOLIS -- Nash Finch Co. here said last week Arthur L. Keeney has been named vice president of corporate retail stores. He succeeds Dave Richards, who has left the company.
Keeney, 45, was formerly director of sales and advertising for the Super Kmart division of Kmart Corp., Troy, Mich. In his new position he will be responsible for all aspects of the distributor's corporate retail segment, which includes 97 stores.
Keeney will report to William E. May Jr., executive vice president and chief operating officer.
In another change, Norman R. Soland, 57, vice president, secretary and general counsel for Nash Finch, has been named a senior vice president.
Ron Marshall, president and chief executive officer, said of Keeney's appointment, "By bringing Art on board, we are taking steps to strengthen our corporate retail business. Promoting experienced people internally and recruiting talented people from other companies is key in developing a management team that will be instrumental in building this company into a world-class organization and an industry leader well into the 21st century."
