Albertsons promotes Withers to EVP in retail ops restructure

Albertsons Cos. late Monday announced new executive assignments under newly named president and COO Wayne Denningham, promoting Mike Withers (pictured above) as EVP of retail operations with responsibilities to lead the company’s East regions.

Susan Morris, Albertsons’ current retail operations EVP, will continue in that role with responsibility to lead operations in the West regions, while Jim Perkins continues as EVP of retail operations, special projects, with a focus on targeted initiatives to accelerate growth. All three executives will continue to report to Denningham, Albertsons’ COO who last week was also named president of the Boise, Idaho-based retailer.

Withers had previously been serving as president of Albertsons Jewel-Osco division in Chicago. Perkins, sources told SN, is currently overseeing pricing and other initiatives at Albertsons’ Acme chain in Philadelphia, where he previously served as president.

“Mike is an exceptional leader who understands our business and market areas from coast to coast,” Denningham said in a statement. “Throughout his career, Mike has worked closely with many members of our current leadership team, and his management experience and operations expertise will help all of our divisions run really great stores.”

Withers began his career with Albertsons in 1976 in Boise. Like many of the company’s executives, he started as a courtesy clerk and gradually worked his way up until he was running his own store. He served as district manager in both Washington and Florida and was eventually promoted to Big Sky Division president with responsibilities for store operations in Montana and North Dakota, a role he also held in both the Florida and Portland divisions.

Since 2006, Withers has served as VP of marketing and merchandising for the Florida and Southern divisions, and president of the Southern and Jewel Osco divisions.

Withers will be based in Boise.