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New CEO to take helm at Price Chopper Enterprises

Brian Haaraoja succeeds retiring Peter Ciacco

Russell Redman

March 5, 2019

1 Min Read
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Next month, Brian Haaraoja is slated to take the reins as president and CEO of Price Chopper Enterprises, succeeding Peter Ciacco.

Plans call for Haaraoja to transition fully to the role by mid-April, when Ciacco retires, Overland Park, Kan.-based Price Chopper said. Haaraoja joined the company on Feb. 25 from H.A.C. Inc., the parent company of Homeland Foods, where he most recently was vice president of marketing and merchandising.

newPeter_Ciacco_Price_Chopper_Enterprises_KC.jpeg.pngCiacco (left) has served as president and CEO at Price Chopper since July 2010.

“I look forward to Brian’s contributions to this organization,” Ciacco said in a statement. “The board is confident in Brian’s ability to lead Price Chopper moving forward. He is a proven leader whose experience and industry knowledge will greatly benefit to our enterprise.”

Brian_Haaraoja_Price_Chopper_Enterprises_KC.jpeg.pngBefore joining H.A.C., Haaraoja (left) spent more than 12 years at Spartan Stores (now part of SpartanNash Inc.), most recently as vice president of fresh merchandising. He also served as vice president of the Eastern division and as vice president of center store merchandising at the company. Prior to Spartan Stores, he held vice president roles at Shaw's Supermarkets in New England and Giant Food in Landover, Md. Haaraoja started his grocery career at Jewel Foods in Chicago after graduating from Western Michigan University with a B.S. in food distribution.

Price Chopper Enterprises oversees the marketing, advertising and shared business operations for 52 Price Chopper stores in the Kansas City, Mo., area. The stores are locally owned by the Cosentino, Ball, McKeever and Queen families. In addition, the company provides services for four Price Chopper stores in Des Moines operated by D.G.S., a subsidiary of Associated Wholesale Grocers.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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