EXECUTIVE CHANGES: KRIEGER LEAVES BALDUCCI'S; SORENSON NAMED VP...RUNDE ELECTED TO KROGER'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS...SPARTAN STORES BRINGS EXTERNAL COUNSEL IN-HOUSE

Krieger Leaves Balducci's; Sorenson Named VP

of the Balducci's chain of specialty food markets, last week said Barbara Parasco has become the sole chief executive officer following the departure for former interim co-CEO Peter Krieger, who left to pursue other interests. Also, longtime supermarket veteran Doug Sorenson has been named vice president of operations and loss prevention. Before joining Balducci's this spring, Parasco had been with Macy's for 20 years, most recently as senior vice president. She oversaw the chain's New York City and Long Island region for seven years. Sorenson most recently was senior vice president of operations and human resources at Shoppers Food & Pharmacy, a Lanham, Md.-based division of Supervalu, Minneapolis. A Sutton Place spokeswoman said Philadelphia-based Preston-Reffett conducted the search for Sorenson, while Parasco had a previous relationship with Bear Sterns Merchant Bank, which owns Sutton Place/Balducci's.

Runde Elected to Kroger's Board of Directors

CINCINNATI - Kroger Co. here has elected James A. Runde to the company's board of directors. Runde is a special adviser and a former vice chairman of Morgan Stanley. During his 32-year career with the firm, he has served as an adviser to corporate boards and senior management across a range of industries. He was a member of the board of directors of Burlington Resources, an oil and gas company, prior to its acquisition by ConocoPhillips earlier this year. He serves as a trustee of Marquette University and as a trustee of the Pierpont Morgan Library. Runde will serve until Kroger's annual meeting of shareholders in June 2007. At that time, he will stand for election by the shareholders. Runde's election brings the Kroger board to 14 members.

Spartan Stores Brings External Counsel In-House

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Spartan Stores here has named Alex J. DeYonker executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, effective Oct. 2. He had been managing partner with law firm Warner Norcross & Judd and was serving as Spartan's external legal counsel. He also is a former member of Spartan's board of directors. "As we embark on the growth phase of our strategic plan, Alex will continue to play a critical role in achieving our long-term goals," said Craig Sturken, Spartan's chairman, president and chief executive officer, in a prepared statement.