SCHER, LONGTIME GIANT SPOKESMAN, TO RETIRE
LANDOVER, Md. — Barry Scher, who worked at Giant Food here for 41 years, including more than 20 as an influential spokesman and public affairs representative, is retiring effective today, he told SN last week. Scher, whose official title was vice president for public affairs, will continue to serve Giant for two years in a consultant role focusing on state and federal government affairs and on special projects. Scher joined Giant in 1966 as a bagger in Richmond, Va., and was promoted to vice president by 1986. The Washington Post once named Scher one of the 10 most influential individuals in the Maryland region. In helping to shape laws and regulations that impacted the company, Scher worked closely with federal, state and local government leaders. He was named to the Maryland Food Industry Hall of Fame in 2005.
PRICE CHOPPER PROMOTES FINLAN TO AUDIT VP
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Price Chopper Supermarkets has promoted Jon Finlan to the position of vice president of internal audit, reporting directly to Neil M. Golub, president and chief executive officer. In his new position, Finlan continues to manage the financial, operational and information technology auditing functions for the 116-store chain. He joined Price Chopper in 1980, working first at the store level and later in the loss prevention department. His most recent position was director of internal audit.
BICKMORE NAMED TO NEW VP POST AT NASH FINCH
MINNEAPOLIS — Nash Finch Co. here said it has promoted Gary Bickmore to the newly created position of vice president of sales and business development. He reports to Christopher Brown, executive vice president of food distribution. Bickmore, who has more than 26 years of experience in food distribution and grocery retailing, joined Nash Finch in 2002. Since then he has served as division manager of the Lima and Bellefontaine, Ohio, divisions. Before coming to Nash Finch, he held positions as a division president and sales and marketing director at Fleming Cos.
WINN-DIXIE NAMES JOSEFOWICZ LEAD DIRECTOR
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie Stores here said that independent members of its board of directors elected Gregory P. Josefowicz as lead director. Josefowicz is the former president, chief executive officer and chairman of book retailer Borders Group. He has also served on the boards of PetSmart, Ryerson, and Telephone and Data Systems. Josefowicz joined the Winn-Dixie board last November upon the retailer's emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
BURKHEAD TAKES HELM AT SOUTHERN FAMILY MARKETS
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Jeff Burkhead has taken over leadership at Southern Family Markets here following the retirement of Frank White, a spokeswoman for the chain told SN. Burkhead, formerly vice president of operations for the 42-store chain, was named senior vice president and general manager. White had been president and chief operating officer since June 2006. Southern Family is a division of C&S Wholesale Grocers, Keene, N.H.
IRI NAMES FREELAND TO SUCCEED KLEIN AS NEW CEO
CHICAGO — Industry data-analysis firm Information Resources Inc. here said last week that Scott W. Klein is leaving the company, effective today, and will be succeeded by John Freeland, who most recently was president of worldwide operations for salesforce.com. Klein, who had been president and chief executive officer since January 2004, is joining IRI parent company Symphony Technology Group as an operating partner. Prior to joining salesforce.com, a software company, Freeland was global managing partner at Accenture, where he spent 26 years.
