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RITE AID CHAIRMAN TO KEYNOTE LEADERSHIP EVENT

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Robert G. Miller, former chairman of Fred Meyer Stores here, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the 10th annual Food Industry Leadership Conference sponsored by Portland State University here on Oct. 25 and 26.g the company's new merchandising directions.Pam Powell, senior vice president, customer service, Albertsons, Boise, Idaho, talking about employee diversity.John McKay

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Robert G. Miller, former chairman of Fred Meyer Stores here, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the 10th annual Food Industry Leadership Conference sponsored by Portland State University here on Oct. 25 and 26.

g the company's new merchandising directions.

Pam Powell, senior vice president, customer service, Albertsons, Boise, Idaho, talking about employee diversity.

John McKay Sr., vice president and Northwest general manager, Costco Wholesale Corp., Issaquah, Wash., discussing how Costco tries to differentiate itself in a competitive global marketplace.

Tom Rubel, president and chief executive officer, Retail Forward, Columbus, Ohio, focusing on long-term market trends and what companies can do to increase their performance.

Scott Klein, president and CEO of Information Resources Inc., Chicago, talking about effective leadership in a world of changing business paradigms.

Phil Bonanno, vice president, training and content, for Management Ventures, Cambridge, Mass., talking about strategic and tactical developments among billion-dollar retailers.

SN will present two awards at the conference: its Community Service Award to Giant Eagle, Pittsburgh; and its Retail Leadership Award to Kroger, Cincinnati.

SN will also sponsor a panel called "Retail Technology in the Age of Global Standards", focusing on how technology is changing the way companies go to market. Panelists will include Rob Hey, vice president at Wal-Mart Stores, Bentonville, Ark.; and Gary S. Herman, vice president and chief information officer for Unified Western Grocers, Los Angeles. The moderator will be David Orgel, editor-in-chief of SN.

Another panel at the event will be called Riding the Wave of Market Changes, focusing on how companies can achieve increased customer relevance through community-based initiatives, niche marketing and brand-building. Panelists will include Nancy Moon-Eilers, vice president, Fred Meyer Stores, a division of Kroger; Christopher Studach, design director, King Retail Solutions, Eugene, Ore.; and Pat Klinger, director of futures initiatives, The Holland Inc., Vancouver, Wash., parent company of Burgerville, noodlin' and Beaches.

Preceding the FILC meeting on Oct. 25 will be the second annual Women's Leadership Forum, sponsored by FILC and the Network of Executive Women.

Speakers will include Jana Taylor, vice president of business development, ingredients division, Kerry Sweet, Tualatin, Ore., discussing how to build a business; and Denise Harrington, founder and CEO of Harrington & Associates here, offering advice on how to create a stronger personal presence.

A panel discussion will follow, featuring Harrington; Theresa Enderle, regional food supervisor, Fred Meyer Stores; and Mitzi Short, vice president of sales for the West region of PepsiCo Sales.