Bashas' Installs New Top Management

CHANDLER, Ariz. — Bashas' here has named Edward Basha III as chairman, president and chief executive officer of the family-owned chain.

His father, Eddie Basha, formerly chairman of the board, will serve as chairman emeritus, and Darl Andersen, who has been president and CEO, will become executive advisor to the president and chairman for the final year of his contract, which expires at the end of 2013.

Andersen had been president and CEO since the fall of 2009, shortly after the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July of that year.

Edward “Trey” Basha III

Edward Basha III was formerly vice president, retail operations. Succeeding him, with the title of senior vice president, operations, will be Robert Ortiz, who had been vice president, sales and marketing.

Succeeding him, with the title of senior vice president, procurement and marketing, will be Jim Vaughan, who previously was president of the Super Saver group of stores the original Albertsons company operated until it was broken up in 2006.

In another change, Don Ulrich has been named executive chief operating officer. Ulrich, who spent most of his career with Coca Cola, joined the Bashas’ board in January 2011 as one of two independent directors — the other being Burt Flickinger III, managing director, Strategic Resource Group, New York — as part of the company’s reorganization plan, with the specific task of representing the lender group and the unsecured creditors.

Read more: Bashas' Bounces Back for 80th Anniversary

In announcing the new management lineup, Edward Basha III said the changes "will make us stronger, improve communication and maximize our synergies in an ever-changing retail grocery environment."

Speaking of his father, Eddie Basha, Basha said, "He will still be coming into the office and visiting our stores. He remains the heart and soul of the company and has guided [it] for many years, always holding true to the spirit of [his parents,] the company's founders."

He said he credits Andersen with helping the company through the restructuring process. "Without his leadership, it is doubtful we would have emerged," he said.

Andersen had retired as chief financial officer of Bashas' in 2003 after 40 years with the company. He returned in the fall of 2009 with the title of chief restructuring officer before being named president and CEO.

Suggested Categories	More from Supermarketnews
Latest News Top 75 Retailers & Wholesalers Top 50 Small Chains & Independents Top 25 Global Retailers 2012 Power 50	SN Photo Galleries Videos Industry Voices SN Viewpoints Total Access Event Coverage