Albertsons Selects Company Vet to Head Jewel-Osco
BOISE, Idaho - Albertsons, Inc. said yesterday that Larry D. Wahlstrom has been appointed president of its Jewel-Osco division, succeeding Pete Van Helden, who was recently named president and c.e.o. of the company's newly formed California Food Division.
Wahlstrom has spent 33 years with Albertsons in a wide range of leadership roles, in both its drugstore and food operations. He began his career at Osco Drug as a store associate in Green Bay, Wisc., and went on to become a store director. Later he was named v.p. for the Osco New England division, and then president of the Albertsons Florida food division. Most recently Wahlstrom served as s.v.p., mergers and integration, based in Boston, with responsibility for the integration of Shaw's and Star Markets, which the company acquired in April for approximately $2.5 billion.
"Larry Wahlstrom is a seasoned senior leader who brings a winning track record in both food and drugstore operations to Jewel-Osco," said Larry Johnston, chairman, president and c.e.o., in a statement. "This experience will be invaluable as he leads the company's largest and most successful dual-branded food and drug division. Larry's intense focus on energizing associates, establishing strong levels of customer service, and delivering results will allow Jewel-Osco to continue to thrive while also developing exciting new growth plans for the future."
Wahlstrom will report directly to Johnston and will be based at the Jewel-Osco Store Support Center in Melrose Park, Ill.
Jewel-Osco is the market leader in Chicagoland, employing more than 42,000 associates through a network of 281 stores.
Wahlstrom has spent 33 years with Albertsons in a wide range of leadership roles, in both its drugstore and food operations. He began his career at Osco Drug as a store associate in Green Bay, Wisc., and went on to become a store director. Later he was named v.p. for the Osco New England division, and then president of the Albertsons Florida food division. Most recently Wahlstrom served as s.v.p., mergers and integration, based in Boston, with responsibility for the integration of Shaw's and Star Markets, which the company acquired in April for approximately $2.5 billion.
"Larry Wahlstrom is a seasoned senior leader who brings a winning track record in both food and drugstore operations to Jewel-Osco," said Larry Johnston, chairman, president and c.e.o., in a statement. "This experience will be invaluable as he leads the company's largest and most successful dual-branded food and drug division. Larry's intense focus on energizing associates, establishing strong levels of customer service, and delivering results will allow Jewel-Osco to continue to thrive while also developing exciting new growth plans for the future."
Wahlstrom will report directly to Johnston and will be based at the Jewel-Osco Store Support Center in Melrose Park, Ill.
Jewel-Osco is the market leader in Chicagoland, employing more than 42,000 associates through a network of 281 stores.