Tops Names Culhane Perishables VP

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. — Tops Friendly Markets said Jeff Culhane has joined Tops as vice president of perishable marketing, overseeing the marketing and merchandising of all its perishables departments, including meat, seafood, produce, floral, deli, bakery and the Carry-Out Café. He most recently had been director of merchandise planning and replenishment for perishables at Meijer Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich., and before that had been a director of deli, foodservice and in-store bakery at Penn Traffic, which was acquired earlier this year by Tops.

COULOMBE TO CHAIR COST PLUS CHAIN

OAKLAND, Calif. — Cost Plus here said Joseph H. Coulombe, founder of Trader Joe's Markets, has been named non-executive chairman. He will succeed Frederic M. Roberts, whose term expires June 17. Coulombe — the “Joe” of Trader Joe's — was chief executive officer of Trader Joe's from 1957 until 1989. He was subsequently president and CEO of Sports Chalet; CEO of Provigo Corp.'s U.S. operations; and co-chairman of Thrifty Drugs. He has been a director of Cost Plus since 1995. “I am confident [Coulombe's] extensive operating experience in the retail and consumer products industries will enable him to continue making significant contributions,” said Barry Feld, president and CEO of Cost Plus, which operates 263 specialty retail stores in 30 states.

NGA ADDS PEPSICO'S SAPP AS DIRECTOR

ARLINGTON, Va. — National Grocers Association here said last week that Van Sapp, a senior vice president at PepsiCo, has been named to the association's board of directors, succeeding Ted Herrod, another PepsiCo senior vice president. Sapp began his career at PepsiCo in 1999 and was named senior vice president, accountable for warehouse sales, in 2008. He is based in Chicago. Before joining PepsiCo, he was with Kraft Foods. “His background and talent will be a great addition to NGA's leadership,” said Chris Coborn, chairman of NGA, and president and chief executive officer, Coborn's.