EXECUTIVE CHANGES 2007-08-13

CACCAMO RETIRES AS CEO OF CENTRAL GROCERS

FRANKLIN PARK, Ill. — Central Grocers said Friday that its longtime president and chief executive officer, Joseph Caccamo, has retired, effective July 31. He has been succeeded by Jim Denges, a 29-year veteran of the cooperative wholesaler who had most recently been vice president and assistant general manager. Caccamo began with Central Grocers as a warehouse receiving clerk in 1955. He will remain as an advisor to the company through the rest of the year. “Our role has been to support, protect and enhance the viability of the independent grocer,” Caccamo said. “I am very proud of how healthy and vibrant the role of the independent grocer is in this market.”

BOYLE APPOINTED VP OF HAGGEN'S CORPORATE BRANDS

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Independent supermarket operator Haggen Inc. has named John Boyle vice president of corporate brands. He will work with the 32-store retailer's merchandising and marketing teams to build the corporate brands program, including quality control and sourcing. Boyle has more than 25 years of retail experience, including his role as corporate director of grocery and vice president of merchandising and marketing for a national supermarket company. Boyle will report to Jeff Wood, executive vice president and chief operating officer.

WAL-MART NAMES HHS VETERAN TO PHARMACY POST

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores said it has named Dr. John Agwunobi senior vice president and president of its professional services division, effective Sept. 4. Agwunobi is currently assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In his new post, he will oversee the company's health and wellness business unit, which encompasses pharmacies, vision centers and health care clinics. Agwunobi will report to Bill Simon, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Wal-Mart Stores U.S. Before joining HHS, Agwunobi was secretary of health for the state of Florida.

C&S NAMES PETSMART VETERAN SR. VP, FACILITIES

KEENE, N.H. — C&S has named Rich Tannenbaum senior vice president of facilities for the privately owned wholesaler, based here. He most recently was vice president of supply chain services, at Phoenix-based pet-supply retailer Petsmart. In his new role, Rich will be responsible for facilities management, engineering solutions, capital planning, asset management and construction planning. The Washington, D.C., office of Retail-iQ, a Preston-Reffett company, conducted the search for C&S.