Dollar General Taps Safeway's Sparks as EVP

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General Corp. here on Wednesday said it has hired Safeway veteran Gregory A. Sparks as executive vice president, store operations, effective March 19.

As previously reported, Safeway on Tuesday said that Sparks, 51, had left as president of the company’s Seattle division. Sparks had spent 34 years with Safeway in various marketing and merchandising positions.

“Greg is a proven leader with a breadth of retail experience across both operations and merchandising. Given that I have known Greg for 20 years and have had the opportunity to follow his career during this time, I believe Greg will be a great addition to Dollar General and help take our business to new levels of success,” said Rick Dreiling, chief executive officer, Dollar General, and himself a former Safeway executive.

Sparks will report to Dreiling and will assume all responsibilities for the operations of Dollar General’s more than 9,900 retail stores in 38 states. In addition, he will serve on the company’s real estate and store development committee.

Safeway on Tuesday said that Steve Frisby, president of the company’s Portland, Ore., division, will assume additional responsibilities for Seattle.