ZAANDAM, NETHERLANDS - One door is closing at Ahold Delhaize USA as another one is opening as Chief Executive Officer Kevin Holt has announced his plans to retire at the end of 2023. Stepping up as his successor is JJ Fleeman, President of Peapod Digital Labs and Chief Commercial and Digital Officer of Ahold Delhaize USA.
“I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity to serve as CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA and work alongside our associates who are passionate about serving their customers and communities each and every day,” said Fleeman. “The U.S. businesses are very strong, with the local brands holding leading market positions where each of these companies operate. We are a proud part of the communities we serve, providing access to affordable, healthy, and sustainable food to millions of customers every day.”
Fleeman has served in his current role since May 2018. Through Peapod Digital Labs, he is responsible for enabling the local brands of Ahold Delhaize USA to deliver an omnichannel grocery experience.
He has spent the majority of his three-decade career in grocery retail at Ahold Delhaize companies, including Food Lion, where he served in a diverse range of executive leadership roles focusing on strategy, commercial, digital, retail operations, marketing, and merchandising.
“My Executive Committee colleagues and I look forward to welcoming JJ to our leadership team and together delivering value to customers every day. Our U.S. businesses are an important part of our strong global portfolio that we will continue to build on,” said Frans Muller, President and CEO of Ahold Delhaize. “We are fortunate that we’re able to work together with both Kevin and JJ over the next few months as we prepare for this leadership transition.”
Peter Agnefjäll, Chair of the Supervisory Board of Ahold Delhaize also commented on Fleeman’s upcoming appointment.
“JJ is an inspiring leader who will advance the U.S. businesses through omnichannel market share growth and who will continue to deliver on the Connected Customer strategy that Kevin has so carefully developed and implemented with the team over the past few years,” he said. “It is a testament to Kevin’s leadership that we were able to select his successor from our own ranks.”
Holt plans to retire and step down from the Ahold Delhaize Management Board when his term expires on April 12, 2023, a release explained. There, Ahold will nominate Fleeman as a member of the Ahold Delhaize Management Board and CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA.
“My time at the companies of Ahold Delhaize USA have been some of the best years of my career in retail,” said Holt. “I’m very proud of how our teams have ensured that our brands remain locally relevant and serve customers through our omnichannel offerings. I look forward to continuing to see our businesses thrive under JJ’s leadership.”
Muller went on to thank Holt for his leadership.
“While Kevin will be with us for another year and we will formally say goodbye next year, I want to use this opportunity to thank him for his outstanding service and leadership to the Ahold Delhaize Management Board and companies of Ahold Delhaize USA—including its predecessor companies,” he commented. “Under Kevin’s leadership, our U.S. businesses have performed exceptionally well, and he has always led with customers and associates in mind.”
Congratulations to both Holt and Fleeman as they take these new paths in their careers!
