Industry mourns passing of Allegiance Chairman/CEO Daniel Katz

Daniel Katz, chairman and CEO of Allegiance Retail Services, has died, and the company’s board of directors has named Lou Scaduto Jr. as his successor.

Iselin, N.J.-based Allegiance announced the passing of Katz (pictured left), 56, on Wednesday. He died at home on Nov. 6 after a battle with cancer and is survived by his wife Laura and four children.

Katz had served as the grocery retail cooperative chairman and chief executive since November 2019, taking over from David Maniaci, who left Allegiance to join Wakefern Food Corp. Along with his brother Noah, Katz also was co-president of PSK Operating LLC, a longtime member of the Allegiance and Foodtown organizations and owner and operator of 13 supermarkets in New York under the Foodtown, Freshtown and Pathmark banners.

Allegiance noted that Daniel Katz led the cooperative through key transformational periods and played a pivotal role in bolstering strategic supply agreements.

“This is a profound loss,” John Derderian, president and chief operating officer of Allegiance Retail Services, said in a statement. “The strength of Dan’s leadership, wisdom and insight can be seen in the confidence with which our co-op members operate. Dan believed in family — his own, his PSK family and that of our cooperative members. He continually looked for ways to strengthen bonds and to serve the best interests of the co-op.”

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Scaduto (pictured left), president of Food Circus Supermarkets, was elected to serve as chairman and CEO in a special board meeting after Katz’s passing, Allegiance reported.

“Dan’s contribution to Allegiance as both an operating member and CEO and chairman can be characterized in one word: outstanding,” Scaduto stated. “His commitment to and vision for the cooperative was inspiring.”     

Allegiance said the Katz family is finalizing details to create a foundation in Daniel Katz’s honor and, once the foundation is complete, those wishing to contribute in his memory can find out how to do so on the Allegiance website.

Overall, Allegiance’s retail network encompasses over 130 supermarkets in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania under the Foodtown, Freshtown Marketplace, D’Agostino, Gristedes, Pathmark, LaBella Marketplace, Brooklyn Harvest Market, Market Fresh, Big Deal Food Market, Green Way Markets, Food Basics and Shop ’n Bag banners. The company’s private brands include Foodtown, Green Way and Rancher’s Legend.