Haggen Names Jim Donald CEO

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Haggen Inc., the 33-store supermarket operator based here, yesterday said it has named longtime supermarket veteran Jim Donald to be its new president and chief executive officer.

Donald most recently had been president and CEO of Seattle-based Starbucks Corp. Before that he was president and CEO of Pathmark Stores, Carteret, N.J., from 1996 to 2002, and he previously held executive positions with Safeway, Albertsons and Wal-Mart Stores.

At Haggen he will succeed Dale Henley, who earlier this year announced his plans to retire as president and CEO.

“Haggen has led the industry in innovation, quality and service and I am proud to join its 3,700 associates in continuing this trend,” Donald said in a prepared release. “Joining Haggen brings me back to my roots in the supermarket industry, a business that I have always had a passion for.”

Don Haggen, co-owner of the company with brother Rick Haggen, said Donald “has the experience of leading large companies, but understands the importance of visiting stores and building strong relationships within the many communities we serve.”

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