Safeway Taps CPG Veteran for Brands

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway last week said it has appointed Joseph Ennen as senior vice president, consumer brands. He succeeds James White, who left Safeway several months ago for a position with another company. Ennen will oversee the chain's corporate brands, including marketing, finance and outside sales. Ennen has spent the last four years with the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo, ultimately serving as group vice president, innovation. Earlier in his career, he worked in marketing positions at Kellogg Co.; served as vice president and general manager for Healthy Choice at ConAgra Foods; and worked in finance for General Mills.

RALEY'S NAMES CERVANTEZ FIRST CMO

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Raley's here said it has named Michelle Cervantez as its first-ever chief marketing officer. The company said she will bring a fresh perspective to the business “at a time when there are increasing choices for consumers, [by] spearheading Raley's brand management and strategic marketing.” Cervantez was previously chief marketing officer for Jacuzzi Group Worldwide. “She has the capacity for learning the nuances of the grocery business quickly and building team synergy to achieve our objectives,” said Bill Coyne, president and chief executive officer.

GIANT-CARLISLE PROMOTES LACAGNINA

CARLISLE, Pa. — Giant Food Stores said it has promoted Joe LaCagnina to director of real estate, with responsibility for identifying and securing opportunities for new store locations, fuel facilities, store expansions and relocations for the Ahold-owned chain. He had joined Giant-Carlisle in 2004 as a location research analyst and most recently was a real estate representative. He reports to Bill Shrader, vice president of real estate.

C&S CFO KREIDLER LEAVES TO JOIN SYSCO

HOUSTON — Chris Kreidler, the chief financial officer of C&S Wholesale Grocers, will assume the same role for foodservice operator Sysco here next month, Sysco said. Kreidler had been with C&S, Keene, N.H., since 2007. A C&S spokesman could not be reached for comment.

WAL-MART NAMES CEO OF ASIA REGION

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores said Scott Price has been named executive vice president, and president and chief executive officer, Walmart Asia, effective Oct. 15. He will report directly to Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Walmart International, and have responsibility for the company's current operations in Asia, including China, India and Japan as well as business development in the Asia region. Price most recently was CEO of DHL Express Europe. Prior to joining DHL, Price spent a decade with the Coca-Cola Co. in various positions in Asia.

CORREY JOINS FOOD INSTITUTE BOARD

ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. — Paula Correy, vice president, western region, for West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee, has joined the board of trustees of the Food Institute here. The Food Institute distributes information on the food industry. Correy began her career with Hy-Vee in 1999.