Buchanan Succeeds Chesnut as Laurel Grocery CEO
utive officer and chairman of the board of Laurel Grocery here, said last week he plans to step down as CEO, but will retain his duties as chairman. Chesnut became president and CEO in 1985 and chairman in 1997. Jim Buchanan, president and chief operating officer, will become president and CEO, taking on more responsibilities regarding long-term strategic planning for the company. Buchanan will be succeeded as COO by Bob Kirch, executive vice president of operations, who has also been promoted to executive vice president. Doug George, vice president of finance, has been promoted to chief financial officer, a new position for the company. Buchanan, Kirch and George will serve as the top management team for Laurel Grocery and will continue to work closely with Chesnut. Neither Kirch nor George will have a successor, as they each will continue to hold previous responsibilities in addition to new responsibilities regarding the company's day-to-day operations. All changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2006.
BJ's McDonough Out; Forward Is Interim CFO
NATICK, Mass. - BJ's Wholesale Club announced that Paul McDonough, executive vice president and chief financial officer since May 2005, has left the company to return to the insurance industry. Prior to joining BJ's in September 2004, McDonough was vice president and treasurer of St. Paul Travelers Cos. Frank Forward, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, BJ's, is serving as interim CFO in addition to his regular duties. Forward was BJ's CFO from July 1997 until May 2005. The company has begun a search for a new permanent CFO.
