Robbins to Head California Stores for Cerberus
k Donna Robbins, senior vice president of operations for the Northern California region of Albertsons, will become president of the Northern California division once the sale of those stores and others to Cerberus is completed next month. She was previously head of the Northern California division of Albertsons before it was reorganized into a region of the chain's California division two years ago. Robbins has been with Albertsons for 25 years, holding a number of senior-level management positions in California and Nevada before becoming president of the Northern California division in 2000. Robbins will join other previously reported members of the Cerberus field team, including John Sheehan, president of the Florida Albertsons; Wayne Denningham, president of the Rocky Mountain stores; William Emmons, president of the Texas division; and Bob Colgrove, head of the Southwest division based in Phoenix. Cerberus is acquiring 655 stores from Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons, while Supervalu and CVS are acquiring the remaining supermarkets and drug stores, respectively.
BJ's Promotes Bass to EVP of Merchandising
NATICK, Mass. - BJ's Wholesale Club here said Paul M. Bass has been named executive vice president, merchandising. Bass most recently was senior vice president, general merchandise manager of food and consumables. He succeeds Karen L. Stout, a former A&P executive, who has left BJ's to join Longs Drug Stores, Walnut Creek, Calif. Bass continues to build executive talent as he leads BJ's merchant leaders. Bruce Graham, most recently vice president, divisional merchandise manager, has been named to succeed Bass. In his new position, Graham leads the food and consumables division, and reports to Bass.
FreshDirect Names Ad Executive to Board
NEW YORK - FreshDirect here, an online fresh food manufacturing and delivery service, said J. Brendan Ryan, chairman of advertising agency Foote Cone & Belding, also here, will be joining the company's board of directors. Ryan began his career in marketing at General Foods, working on a variety of brands including the introduction of Stove Top Stuffing. He later worked at Citibank in financial services marketing and went on to become the executive vice president in charge of global client services at Ogilvy & Mather, working on accounts such as American Express, Kraft General Foods, Hallmark and others.
NASFT Taps Daw to Succeed Roberts as President
NEW YORK - The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade here last week said it has appointed Ann G. Daw as the new president. Daw will begin employment at the NASFT on May 5, and take over as president after a two-month transition period. John Roberts, the current president, will retire Sept. 30. Daw comes to NASFT from Kraft Foods, Northfield, Ill., where she served as senior vice president of business and marketing development in the international division and vice president of global marketing resources and initiatives.
