Dennis Retires From Farm Fresh

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Ron Dennis, president of Supervalu's Farm Fresh chain, based here, has retired from that post as of last week, Minneapolis-based Supervalu said. His successor will be announced at a later date, the company added. Brian Huff, senior vice president, specialty retail, Supervalu, will assume Dennis' responsibilities on an interim basis. “Under Ron's leadership, Farm Fresh has built a rich tradition of extraordinary customer service and community support,” Huff said. Dennis began his career in the grocery industry as an apprentice meat-cutter at Publix Super Markets in 1958. He had been president of Farm Fresh since 1997. “While I am proud of the many successes we have achieved at Farm Fresh during my tenure, I am looking forward to retiring and spending more time with my family,” said Dennis. He joins a series of high-level executives who have left Supervalu in the past year.

YAKSITCH JOINS ALBERTSONS LLC

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons LLC here said it has named Frank Yaksitch vice president, marketing and merchandising, for its 98-store Dallas-Fort Worth division, effective March 12. Yaksitch had been senior vice president of operations for the Intermountain West division of Minneapolis-based Supervalu, following 45 years with the original Albertsons chain. At Albertsons, he ultimately headed the chain's Big Sky division, and after that division became part of the Intermountain West division, he held the post of vice president, marketing and merchandising, for the division. Albertsons LLC's Dallas-Fort Worth division encompasses stores in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.

REDNER'S NAMES MCNANEY VP-FINANCE

READING, Pa. — Redner's Markets said last week it has named Michael M. McNaney as vice president of finance and as a member of its board of directors. He will report directly to Richard Redner, president of the company. McNaney's duties will include management of the accounting and finance department, leading a team of 18 people. He was previously a partner with Reinsel Kuntz Lesher. Redner's Markets is an employee-owned company operating 38 Warehouse Markets and 13 Quick Shoppes in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware.

FORMER FMI SVP LAUNCHES OWN FIRM

WASHINGTON — Deborah White, formerly senior vice president and chief legal officer for Food Marketing Institute, has left FMI to form her own consulting firm to advise companies on federal regulatory issues. Regulatory Solutions, based here, will focus on serving companies in the food and agriculture sector. “Regulatory Solutions helps companies, particularly in the supermarket and food distribution industries, navigate what is often a very complex regulatory system,” said White, in a prepared statement. Prior to joining FMI in 1999, White was an attorney at the law firm of Keller and Heckman, specializing in food and drug law. Her husband, John Motley, also is a former senior vice president at FMI.