<p><strong>BRUSSELS, Belgium </strong><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Delhaize Group has recruited Roland Smith as President and Chief Executive Officer of Delhaize America and Executive Vice President of Delhaize Group. The executive change will be effective October 15, 2012, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The industry veteran brings a host of industry experience to his position. Most recently, he served as President and CEO of The Wendy’s Company and, prior to that, as President and CEO of Wendy's / Arby's Group, Inc. Mr. Smith will succeed Ronald C. Hodge who has been with the company 33 years. Mr. Hodge will remain with Delhaize America in an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition before retiring later in the year.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Pierre-Olivier Beckers, President and CEO of Delhaize Group, said, “We are delighted that Roland will become the next CEO of Delhaize America and look forward to welcoming him to our company. He is a seasoned leader with a proven track record of managing large consumer businesses, reenergizing brands and driving top and bottom-line growth. We are confident his background and experience will serve to strengthen and accelerate the ongoing transformation of our business in the U.S.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Mr. Hodge is set to retire after 33 years in various senior leadership roles with Delhaize Group. Mr. Beckers added, “Together with the Board of Directors and senior management of Delhaize Group, I want to thank Ron for his hard work and leadership over three decades. During his career, Ron has made countless contributions to our company’s growth and has been instrumental in a number of our achievements, including the creation of Delhaize America, which is now an approximately $20 billion revenue business with roughly 1,600 stores in 18 states.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.delhaizegroup.com/en/Home.aspx" target="_new"> Delhaize Group </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
