Giant Names Sepideh Burkett to New Store Support VP

Giant Food Stores said it has promoted Sepideh Burkett to VP of store support.

In this new role Burkett will be responsible for bringing the company’s strategic plans and customer-centric strategy to life across all stores, driving store performance and ensuring consistent communication between stores and support functions, Giant said. She will report to John Ponnett, SVP of retail operations for the Carlisle, Pa.-based division of Ahold Delhaize.

“A knowledgeable and passionate leader, Sepideh has made significant contributions to the success of our company, and we look forward to benefitting from her deep knowledge in her new role,” Ponnett said. “Her team and customers always come first, and she truly leads by example with her ‘can-do attitude,’ inspiring those around her.”

With more than 25 years of experience in the supermarket and drugstore business, Burkett most recently served as district director overseeing Giant stores in north central Pennsylvania. She joined Giant in 2016 as director of special projects. Prior to her time at Giant, she worked for Walmart in several leadership roles, including market manager, regional health and wellness director, market health and wellness director, and pharmacy manager.

Burkett, a licensed pharmacist, received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from University of Connecticut. She resides in State College, Pa., with her family.

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Giant operates more than 170 neighborhood stores under the Giant and Martin’s banners in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.