TYLER, Texas — Brookshire Grocery Co. here said that Johnny Skelton, executive vice president — chief retail operations officer, has retired after 43 years with the company. Skelton joined Brookshire's as a meatcutter in 1966 after serving in the Army. He worked his way up in retail market departments and was promoted to vice president in 1990, senior vice president in 1998 and executive vice president in 2004. He has been in his current position for the past five years. Skelton worked for company founder W.T. Brookshire and strived to continue the traditions set for the chain when it was founded in 1928, the company said. “Brookshire Grocery Co. had just over 20 stores when Johnny Skelton came on board in 1966, and he has helped to shape our store operations into one of the most successful in the industry,” said Rick Rayford, president and chief executive officer.
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Price Chopper Supermarkets here said last week that it has hired Russell Zwanka as vice president of merchandising, reporting directly to Joe Kelley, vice president of sales and merchandising. In this newly created position, Zwanka will be responsible for all merchandising initiatives and existing programs for the 117-store chain. He comes to Price Chopper from the North West Co., Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he was executive vice president of procurement and marketing.
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Kelli Kennel |
 Eric Schafers |
LINCOLN, Neb. — B&R Stores announced that Kelli Kennel has joined the employee-owned company as health and wellness coordinator, and that Eric Schafers has been promoted to bakery/deli director for the company's Russ's Market and Super Saver grocery stores. Both associates work at the company's headquarters here. With more than 23 years of experience at B&R Stores, Schafers has managed several departments since starting his career with the company in 1985. Kennel joined B&R Stores last December after receiving a master's degree in health and sciences from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. A registered dietitian since 2007, Kennel was certified as a licensed medical nutrition therapist in 2008.