BOISE, ID - Albertsons Companies has announced the appointment of a new CEO this week. Effective immediately, Albertsons’ current President and COO Jim Donald will assume the role of Chief Executive and President. Current Chairman and CEO Robert Miller will vacate the former position but continue on as Chairman of the Board.
“Albertsons Companies is uniquely positioned to operate in both a ‘four walls’ traditional environment and the ‘no walls’ world of technology,” Donald said, in a press release. “We serve 34 million customers each week across our 2,300-plus stores and serve 5.5 million patients in our 1,700-plus pharmacies. That’s a significant food, health, and wellness footprint. We’re well positioned to serve the evolving needs of today’s customer, wherever and whenever they choose to shop with us. I am looking forward to leading this dynamic company as we focus on innovation and customer-centric retailing in all its forms.”
The retailer noted in its press release that both Miller and Donald are two of grocery retail’s preeminent leaders.
Donald’s 47-year retail career began as a trainee in Florida with Publix Supermarkets. He joined Albertsons in 1976, eventually working his way up to Vice President of Operations in Arizona.
In 1991, Donald was recruited personally by Sam Walton to join Walmart to lead the development of their grocery business and Superstore concept. Donald subsequently left for Safeway in 1994 to be the Senior Vice President of their 130-store Eastern region, a position he held for two years. Donald assumed his first Chief Executive Officer role at Pathmark Stores from 1996 through 2002, followed by his most well-known appointment—President and Chief Executive Officer at Starbucks.
At Starbucks, Donald notably led the company through record growth, including five straight years of more than 20 percent annual earnings increases. Post Starbucks, Donald served as Chief Executive Officer of two other companies, Haggen and Extended Stay America, Inc.
Named one of the “Top 25 CEOs in the World” by The Best Practice Institute and one of Business Travel News’ “25 Most Influential Business Travel Executives” in 2013 for his leadership of Extended Stay America where he led its successful $565 million IPO, Donald joined Albertsons Companies in March 2018 as President and Chief Operating Officer.
“Jim is an exceptional retailer. In the seven months since he joined Albertsons Companies, he’s flown tens of thousands of miles and met personally with thousands of employees in hundreds of our stores, distribution centers, manufacturing plants, and offices around the country,” Miller said. “His expertise in listening to front line employees and customers, facilitating employee engagement and generating sales is unmatched, and there is no better leader for Albertsons Companies at this state in our evolution.”
Miller’s 57-year retail career began as a high school job in Southern California in the backroom of a neighborhood supermarket. He took on roles of increasing responsibility, culminating in his serving as Executive Vice President of Operations for Albertsons, Inc.
Miller left Albertsons from 1991 to 2006, serving as CEO of Fred Meyer, COO and Vice Chairman of Kroger, and CEO of Rite Aid before returning to lead Albertsons as CEO following the divestiture of Albertson’s assets.
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