Homeland Grocery Stores names Walmart vet David Criscione president and CEO

Oklahoma City-based HAC Inc., parent company of Homeland Grocery Stores, on Thursday named former Walmart International executive David Criscione Homeland's new president and CEO, the company announced Thursday.

Criscione was hired after a nationwide search and will start work on Monday.

“We were focused on finding an individual whose values align with our employee owners’ values, has deep grocery industry experience, and has a record of developing and successfully implementing strategic thinking,” said Richard May, chair of the HAC Board of Directors, in a statement. “David clearly distinguished himself from a strong field of candidates and we feel fortunate to have his leadership onboard as HAC embarks on building its exciting and challenging next chapter of growth.”

Through his 30 years in the grocery and retail industries, Criscione brings extensive experience through his time at Walmart International, where he held a range of positions with increasing responsibility in the finance, strategy and technology departments. While at Walmart International, he also took on an executive role overseeing Walmart Canada’s e-commerce business.  

Prior to working with Walmart, Criscione worked at Amazon, where he launched the retailer's physical grocery store efforts as general manager of Amazon Go. 

Criscione also served in executive positions at Delhaize Group, where he helped create and implement strategies for Ahold Delhaize banners Food Lion and Hannaford.

“I am thrilled to be joining the HAC team,” said Criscione, in a statement. “I see so much potential for the organization and I look forward to leading a dedicated group of employee-owners and serving the communities where we are located.”

Homeland is the largest banner of HAC, which operates 78 stores in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Georgia. Its other banners include Homeland, United, Cash Saver, Ponca City Discount Foods, Food World and Piggly Wiggly.