Safeway Names Raya President of Vons

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Monday said Lori Raya would take over as president of its Vons Division. Raya, a 25-year veteran of Safeway, will succeed Tom Keller, who announced his retirement earlier this month.

Safeway said Raya was a seasoned retail executive with experience running store operations in several of Safeway's key operating divisions, “and brings to her new role a unique set of skills having cross-trained at a senior level, successfully managing large marketing units that together represent nearly half of the company's business volume.”

In her most recent position as senior vice president, main meal, Raya had responsibility for the company's largest portfolio of center-store business units including ingredients, beverages and snacks. She joined the company nearly 25 years ago as a clerk in Safeway’s Denver Division. She progressed through the retail ranks including assignments at the company's corporate office, and then as district manager at Vons and vice president of retail operations in the Northern California division.

In 2009, Raya joined the perishable marketing team as group vice president, deli/food service and bakery, and was promoted to senior vice president, with added responsibility for dairy/refrigerated and frozen food, before assuming her previous role in mid-2011.

"Lori's considerable breadth of experience running major retail units, as well as large perishable and non-perishable marketing functions within the company, make her an excellent fit for the leadership role at Vons," Steve Burd, Safeway's chairman, president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "That combined with her exceptional track record of success has positioned her perfectly to run one of our largest operating divisions."