The Raley’s Cos. has named a series of leadership appointments intended to strengthen customer engagement, enhance operational excellence and position the company for continued growth across its family of brands.
The changes were announced by owner and CEO Mike Teel, in partnership with co-presidents Tiffanie Burkhalter and Jen Warner, and underscore the company’s commitment to serving customers, empowering store teams and building the capabilities needed to deliver an exceptional shopping experience across every banner, according to a news release.
“The grocery industry is evolving rapidly, creating new opportunities to serve customers in better and more meaningful ways,” Teel says. “These leadership appointments position us to build on our legacy of innovation, move with greater agility and help define the next chapter of The Raley’s Companies.”
As part of the leadership changes, Carol Barsotti has been appointed chief marketing officer, adding responsibility for marketing to her existing leadership of communications, government affairs and community impact. The expanded role reflects the company’s belief that brand, customer connection and community impact are increasingly interconnected and best advanced through a unified strategy.
Natalie Slater has been promoted to senior vice president of enterprise operations, where she will provide leadership for store operations across the company’s banners. The company says Slater will focus on supporting store teams, strengthening operational excellence and ensuring customers continue to experience the service, care and connection that have long distinguished its stores.
Levi Wingo has been promoted to senior vice president of sales and merchandising strategy, where he will lead the company’s merchandising strategy, innovation, category growth and customer value initiatives. In this role, he will help advance the products, offerings and experiences that keep customers at the center of the business, the company says.
“The future belongs to organizations that can evolve while staying true to who they are,” Warner says. “These appointments reflect both the strength of our leadership pipeline and our commitment to developing leaders who can anticipate change, unlock new opportunities and guide our business forward. Together, they position us to better serve customers, support our teams and continue building a company that thrives for decades to come.”
The appointments build on an established leadership team across the company’s operating divisions, including Paul Gianetto, president of Raley’s; Faith Garrard, vice president of sales and merchandising for Raley’s; Jess Blakely, vice president of sales and merchandising for Bashas'; and Ralph Woodward, senior vice president of operations for Bashas’.
“The companies that succeed over the long term are those that continually invest in their people and prepare for what comes next,” Burkhalter says. “These leaders bring the experience, strategic perspective and customer focus needed to guide our next chapter of growth while carrying forward the values that have earned the trust of our customers, team members and communities for over 90 years.”
