Former Safeway, Clorox Execs Join Target Corp. Board

Robert L. Edwards, former CEO of Safeway Inc., and Donald R. Knauss, former chairman and CEO of The Clorox Co., have joined Target Corp.'s board of directors, effective immediately.

Edwards served as CEO of Safeway from May 2013 until April 2015. He also served as Safeway's president and CFO from April 2012 to May 2013 after joining the Pleasanton, Calif.-based supermarket chain in 2004 as EVP and CFO.

Knauss served as chairman and CEO of Clorox from October 2006 until November 2014, and then served as executive chairman until July 1, 2015. Prior to joining Clorox, Knauss, a former U.S. Marine Corps officer, served as president and COO of Coca-Cola North America.

Noting the "deep understanding of the consumer and a wealth of relevant expertise" the duo will bring to the Minneapolis-based national retailer, Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO of Target, praised Knaus's "lengthy track record of driving the strategic growth of prominent, consumer brands at global companies." Cornell also cited Edwards' key "leadership positions in the grocery industry for more than a decade," which he said "will offer a fresh perspective on our food reinvention, in particular. Don and Robert will be important additions to our board as we continue to transform Target and elevate the guest experience."

Target Corp. operates 1,799 stores as well as its e-commerce Target.com business.