<p style="text-indent:0px; line-height:12px;"><span style="font-weight:bold;line-height:130%"> Pleasanton, CA</span><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">By Sarah Hoxie<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">03.15.13</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Safeway's Bruce Everette is retiring as Executive Vice President, Retail Operations. Kelly Griffith, President of Merchandising, has been chosen to succeed Mr. Everette, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Mr. Everette's has had a distinguished 44-year career at Safeway. He began in 1968 as a clerk in Virginia and worked his way up the retail management ranks. The industry veteran was named President of the company's Phoenix Division in 1995. Three years later, he became President of the Northern California Division. In 2001, He was named Executive Vice President of Retail Operations.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/steve-burd-file-photo.jpg" alt="03-15-2013 - IMAGES" />"We are deeply grateful to Bruce for his significant and lasting contribution to our company's success," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Steve Burd. "He is the consummate operating executive whose results and people-oriented approach to the business leave an unmistakable imprint on who we are as a company."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Safeway President Robert Edwards, stated, "Bruce will be missed, and we wish him and his wife, Lyn, happiness and fulfillment in the next chapter of their lives.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Last year the food industry inducted him into the California Grocer's Association's Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement. In 1997 Mr. Everette was honored as Arizona's Retailer of the Year with the University of Southern California honoring him with an award for Food Industry Executive of the Year in 2006. Mr. Everette's involvement with numerous philanthropic organizations has earned him an honor, the State Board of Virginia Pasture Award for Outstanding Leadership. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Boy Scouts of America.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/kelly-griffith-file-photo.jpg" alt="03-15-2013 - IMAGES" />Bruce Everette's successor, Kelly Griffith brings 33 years of experience and leadership to his new position with a range of retail store management assignments. In 1999, he was assigned to Corporate Retail Operations and named Vice President the following year. Mr. Griffith assumed the role of Vice President, Retail Operations in the Seattle Division in 2001, then returned to the corporate office as Senior Vice President, Produce and Floral in 2004. He climbed the ranks to Portland Division President in 2005 and returned to corporate in 2008 as President, Perishables. He was named President of Merchandising in 2010.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"Over the years Kelly has assumed increasing responsibility at both Division and Corporate levels," Mr. Edwards said. "He is a well-rounded executive with a deep background in marketing and retail, and he is ready to lead our Retail Operations to further success. I am extremely pleased to have an executive with Kelly's experience ready to step up to fill this important role."</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Congratulations are in order for Bruce Everette on his recent retirement and for Kelly Griffith on his newly assumed role!</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.safeway.com/ShopStores/Offers-Landing-IMG.page?" target="_new"> Safeway</a> </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
