EXECUTIVE CHANGES 2008-02-11

KROGER NAMES PARKER PRESIDENT, KWIK SHOP

CINCINNATI — The Kroger Co. here has named Jeff Parker president of its Kwik Shop convenience store division, based in Hutchinson, Kan. He will oversee 131 Kwik Shop stores in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. Parker previously served as senior vice president of operations for Kwik Shop and was the corporate controller for Kroger's convenience stores, Turkey Hill Dairy, and Supermarket Petroleum operations before joining Kwik Shop.

FMI PROMOTES WHITE TO CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER

ARLINGTON, Va. — Food Marketing Institute has promoted Deborah White to chief legal officer and senior vice president, from her previous position as vice president and associate general counsel for regulatory affairs. As chief legal officer, she will oversee the corporate legal needs of the association. White was named regulatory counsel for FMI in 1998. “Her legal expertise and knowledge of regulatory affairs will benefit FMI as we move forward with important government initiatives on behalf of our members,” said FMI President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Hammonds in a prepared statement. Prior to joining FMI, White practiced law at the firm of Keller and Heckman in Washington.

SCHARTON LEAVING SUPERVALU INVESTOR POST

MINNEAPOLIS — Yolanda Scharton, vice president of investor relations and financial media, Supervalu, is leaving the company, Supervalu said at its recent investor conference in Las Vegas. She is slated to continue in her role until May 1, after which she will consult with the company on special projects. A search for her successor is under way. Scharton spent more than eight years with Supervalu, the company said.

FORMER NASH FINCH CFO JOINS CONSTRUCTION FIRM

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — LeAnne Stewart, the former chief financial officer for wholesaler Nash Finch, has assumed the CFO role for Granite Construction here. Stewart served at Nash Finch from 1999 to 2006, and was senior vice president and CFO from 2004 to 2006.

NEW TRANSPORTATION CHIEF AT AG NEW ENGLAND

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Kevin P. Murray has been promoted to the newly created position of director of transportation at Associated Grocers of New England here. A 15-year veteran of AG New England, Murray previously served as an export agent with Schenkers International Forwarders and as operations manager for Team Air Express, both based in East Boston, Mass.

BRITISH-BASED EXECUTIVE NAMED CHAIR OF NAW

WASHINGTON — National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors members have elected Chip Hornsby, group chief executive, Wolseley plc, Theale, England, as chairman of the NAW board of directors. He succeeds Raymon A. York, chief executive of Ewing Irrigation Products, Phoenix, who will remain on the board as immediate past chairman. Randy Lindberg, United Natural Foods, was named chairman-elect, while Robert N. Taylor, Do it Best Corp., is first vice chairman, Dennis G. Hatchell, Alex Lee Inc., is second vice chairman and Mark Kramer, Laird Plastics, is secretary.