Jackson, Tripp Retire From Supervalu

MARK HAMSTRA

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu here said yesterday that two of its top executives, Mike Jackson and Kevin Tripp, have decided to retire from the company, effective Aug. 14. Jackson, 55, was president and chief operating officer, and Tripp, also 55, was executive vice president of Supervalu and president of the company's Retail Midwest region.

Their departure follows the recent hiring of Wal-Mart and Albertsons veteran Craig Herkert as the new chief executive officer, succeeding Jeff Noddle. Following Jackson's departure, Herkert also will assume the additional role of president. Also, the company's three retail regions will be combined under Pete Van Helden, who will become executive vice president, retail operations. Van Helden is currently president of the Retail West region.

The Save-A-Lot banner will report to Herkert, and the Bristol Farms division will continue to report to Pamela Knous, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Supervalu also said it would create a new health and wellness division combining its pharmacy and HBC operations, to be led by Duncan Mac Naughton, executive vice president of merchandising and marketing.

Tom Zaucha, president and CEO of National Grocers Association, described Jackson — who has been with Supervalu for 30 years — as a "great leader for our industry," and said NGA's executive committee would discuss the next steps related to Jackson's roles as chairman of NGA's board and as head of the search committee to find a successor to Zaucha.

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