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Haggai Cedes IGA CEO Duties to Batenic

IGA here told SN yesterday that Thomas S. Haggai will give up his titles of president and chief executive officer of IGA Inc. and president and CEO of IGA Global to Mark Batenic.

CHICAGO — IGA here told SN yesterday that Thomas S. Haggai will give up his titles of president and chief executive officer of IGA Inc. and president and CEO of IGA Global to Mark Batenic.

Haggai, 79, will remain chairman of IGA, and chairman of the IGA Coca-Cola Institute, and though he’s giving up international responsibilities, he will remain IGA's brand ambassador to China, the company said.

Batenic, 60, will remain president and CEO of IGA USA as well as adding the global responsibilities. Batenic joined IGA in late 2006 when Haggai shifted his focus to international operations. Haggai has been with IGA since 1972 and has served as chairman of the board and of IGA Inc. since 1986.

“This natural evolution has been in the works for some time now,” Haggai said. “It’s simply that the time is right to ensure the future of this great brand, and Mark’s accomplishments in the U.S. made it very easy for me, with a clear conscience and a joyous heart, to name him as my successor."

Batenic said he appreciates the confidence IGA’s directors “have placed in me, and I look forward to working together with the IGA team around the world.”

IGA, a voluntary network of independent grocers, accounted for sales of approximately $30 billion in 2009 from 6,200 stores worldwide, including approximately $8 billion from 1,350 stores in the U.S. and $22 billion from 4,850 stores in 37 countries, including Canada.

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