SpartanNash Hires Ileana McAlary as Chief Legal Officer

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based grocery retailer and wholesaler SpartanNash has named Ileana McAlary as SVP and chief legal officer, replacing the retiring Kathleen (Kathy) Mahoney, who previously held the company's top legal role. 

McAlary joins SpartanNash from Rockford, Mich.-based footwear maker Wolverine World Wide. Inc., where she served as VP, associate general counsel and compliance officer. Before joining Wolverine World Wide, McAlary worked as senior counsel at fellow Michigan grocer Meijer Inc.

In her new role, effective Nov. 15, McAlary will report to SpartanNash President and CEO Tony Sarsam.

See also: SpartanNash Names Chief Strategy Officer, Touting M&A Experience

"Ileana brings broad-based corporate, transactional, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation and management experience across multiple industries and international markets," Sarsam said in a statement. "As a company that serves food retailers in all 50 states and in many overseas locations, Ileana’s expertise will be invaluable."

Mahoney, who retires as EVP and chief legal officer, served with SpartanNash for 17 years. In a news release, the company noted that Mahoney was instrumental in negotiating and closing the 2013 merger of Nash Finch and Spartan Stores that created SpartanNash. "Her contributions to our company and industry are countless, and we offer our warmest wishes in her next chapter," Sarsam said.

SpartanNash, which owns 146 supermarkets and operates military commissaries and a distribution network, will report its third-quarter earnings after markets close on Nov. 10.