EXECUTIVE CHANGES 2007-01-01

POLK TO REPLACE RICE AT AMERICAS UNILEVER HELM

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — John Rice, president of Americas Unilever and one of SN's Power 50 executives for 2006, has decided to retire from Unilever after 25 years of service. Rice, who will step down in March, will be succeeded by Michael Polk. Rice appointed Polk group vice president of Unilever United States in October 2005 from his earlier post as group vice president, Foods, U.S., as a way to solidify the structure of Unilever's U.S. division, Rice told SN this year.

PENN TRAFFIC NAMES MAHONEY VP, GENERAL COUNSEL

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Penn Traffic here has named Daniel Mahoney vice president and general counsel, filling a position vacant since Francis Price resigned in November. Mahoney, 39, formerly worked as senior counsel, labor and employment law, at C&S Wholesale Grocers, Keene, N.H. Through 2005, Mahoney was director of labor relations and employment law at Shaw's Supermarkets, West Bridgewater, Mass. From 1995 to 2004, he was with the law firm of Nutter, McClendon & Fish.

PRICE CHOPPER NAMES BIRD, DOYLE TO VP POSITIONS

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Price Chopper Supermarkets here said yesterday that Robert Doyle has been promoted to vice president of warehousing and W. Thomas Bird has been promoted to vice president of transportation, essentially swapping responsibilities. Both report directly to Ron Cellupica, vice president of distribution. Both began their careers at the 115-store chain in 1976.

SAM'S CLUB EVP-MARKETING/MEMBERSHIP LEAVES

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Mark Goodman, executive vice president of marketing and membership of Wal-Mart Stores' Sam's Club division, left the company last month to pursue other interests, said a Wal-Mart spokeswoman. Goodman joined the 550-store division in September 2005, after nearly six years at McDonald's, where he was vice president of U.S. strategy and operations. Goodman's departure comes just weeks after Julie Roehm, Wal-Mart's former senior vice president of marketing communications, and Sean Womack, former vice president of communications architecture, left the company as well.