Unified Taps Herglotz for Public Affairs

SN STAFF

LOS ANGELES — Unified Grocers here said Friday it has hired a San Francisco-based public affairs firm headed by former Safeway executive Kevin Herglotz. The firm — HPA Strategies — will provide the member-owned wholesaler with government relations representation at the federal, state and local levels; counsel on legislative, community and stakeholder issues; and input on strategic communications.

Those functions were formerly handled by Peter Larkin, who had his own consulting firm before becoming president and chief executive officer of the National Grocers Association. He previously had been an executive with the California Grocers Association.

Herglotz formerly was senior vice president of public affairs and government relations for Safeway. The hiring of his firm does not affect Unified's relationship with Schaffner Communications, a Chicago-based public relations firm.

According to Al Plamann, president and CEO of Unified, "Kevin is not only familiar with our industry and the issues we face but he also understands what it takes for corporations to successfully navigate through today's economically challenged and politically charged business environment."