SHAPIRO GETS TOP PROMOTION AT SYSCO PHILADELPHIA
SYSCO Corporation, Houston, TX, has promoted Keith D. Shapiro to president and chief executive officer of Sysco Food Services of Philadelphia LLC.
Shapiro, formerly vice president of Sysco Food Services of Baltimore LLC, has replaced Edward C. Merry. According to a SYSCO press release, Shapiro has logged over 18 years with the food distributor. He joined Smeklinson Sysco (Sysco Baltimore’s predecessor) as a marketing associate in 1985.
The new Sysco Philadelphia Chief also spent a four-year stint with SYSCO’s Pittsburgh operation, where he went from vice president, territory sales to senior vice president from 1993 to 1996. Shapiro left his hometown of Pittsburgh to return to the Baltimore subsidiary in 1997.
FRESH BRANDS HIRES PLUMLEY FOR CFO SPOT
Supermarket retailer and grocery wholesaler Fresh Brands Inc., Sheboygan, WI, has named S. Patric Plumley the firm’s new senior vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer and secretary.
Plumley brings close to 30 years of grocery retail experience to Fresh Brands, and was most recently senior vice president, CFO, secretary and director of Eagle Food Centers Inc., Milan, IL. Prior to his run with Eagle Food, Plumley held a number of other key executive roles, including positions with American Stores’ Super Saver Food Division in Salt Lake City, UT and Lucky Stores Inc., based in Dublin, CA.
“Pat will be a valuable addition to our management team and will play a key role in executing our growth strategies,” said Fresh Brands president and CEO Elwood F. Winn, in a statement this week.
Fresh Brands’ corporate-owned and franchised retail supermarkets operate under the Piggly Wiggly and Dick’s Supermarkets brands, and can be found throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
WINN-DIXIE APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR TO BOARD
Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., Jacksonville, FL, has elected Edward W. Mehrer to the company’s Board of Directors, where he will serve on the Audit and Compensation Committees of the Board.
Currently Chief Executive Officer and President of drug delivery company CyDex Inc., Overland Park, KS, Mehrer also serves on the Board of Directors and is Chair of the Audit Committee of MGI Pharma, Minneapolis. To Winn-Dixie, Mehrer brings a solid number of years of experience in both the pharmaceutical and finance industries, but also remains an active director for various Kansas and Missouri not-for-profit organizations.
“Ed’s extensive financial experience, combined with his knowledge of business and management capabilities, will make him a valuable addition to our board,” said Winn-Dixie Chairman A. Dano Davis, in a recent news release.
PIPER TAKES OVER AS NORTHEAST PRESIDENT AT PFG
Performance Food Group, Richmond, VA, has announced the promotion of Gregory R. Piper to the role of President for PFG-Broadline’s Northeast Region.
In line with the change, PFG also said that David Crowell has been boosted from Executive Vice President, to President of PFG-NorthCenter. Piper had held the position previously at the Augusta, Maine-based NorthCenter -- a division PFG acquired in 1999.
Though now, Piper will take on the additional responsibilities of overseeing company operations at Springfield Foodservice in Massachusetts and PFG-AFI of Elizabeth, N.J., in addition to PFG-NorthCenter.
“Both Greg and Dave have been instrumental in leading PFG-NorthCenter’s growth and profitability,” said PFG’s Broadline President Steven Spinner. “They have been a great asset to PFG, and we are confident that they will continue the strong leadership and commitment needed for these new roles.”
Piper also serves on the Board of Directors for Maine General Health Care and the Maine Restaurant Association.
PENN TRAFFIC ADDS ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER
Penn Traffic Co., Syracuse, N.Y., has welcomed Robert L Hockett as a new addition to the supermarket operator’s Board of Directors.
In a recent release, Penn Traffic president and CEO Joseph Fisher commented, “We are very pleased to add Bob Hockett’s talent and experience to our Board. I believe we have a very strong and active board that will provide exceptional guidance as Penn Traffic moves forward.”
Hockett has been with DDJ Capital Management LLC – Penn Traffic’s largest shareholder – since 1996, and has over 15 years of investing and finance experience. Hockett also serves on the Board of Directors for Birmingham, AL-based Bruno’s Supermarkets Inc., a grocery chain that global powerhouse Royal Ahold acquired in December of 2001.
