PLEASANTON, Calif. — Tom Schwicke, currently president of Safeway's Texas division, will be joining the retailer's corporate merchandising team here as president and general manager, Safeway said last week. Schwicke will report to Kelly Griffith, president of merchandising. Succeeding Schwicke as Texas president will be Paul McTavish, the current president of Safeway's Denver division. Schwicke joined Safeway as a clerk in 1982 and advanced to store manager and district manager and then to executive positions throughout the chain. He was named Texas president in 2008. McTavish joined Safeway 37 years ago and has served executive positions in its Denver division since 2000.
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Bi-Lo here last week said it had hired Frank “Bob” Highsmith and Mike McShane to new category management positions. Highsmith was named category manager of beer and wine. Highsmith has more than 30 years of experience in the supermarket industry with Food Fair/Pantry Pride, Kash n' Karry and Sweetbay. McShane was named Bi-Lo's category manager for specialty foods and rewards. He joins Bi-Lo after spending the last five years with Southern Family Markets, Birmingham, Ala. McShane previously worked for Albertsons, American Stores, C&S Wholesale Grocers, and Winn-Dixie Stores.
CLEVELAND — Efficient Consumer Response Marketing said it has named John Kunzi vice president of business development. A 40-year industry veteran, Kunzi most recently was chief information officer and vice president of planning and supply chain management for K&G. His previous experience includes executive positions at EDGE, Red Leaf and vanGarde. Kunzi also has a consulting background with several mass merchants, including Kohl's Department Stores, Family Dollar Stores, Ames Department Stores, Staples Stores, Value City Stores and others.