A&P Merges Management Structure, Promotes Execs

MONTVALE, N.J. - The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., Inc. yesterday said it would combine its corporate and U.S. operating management structures. As part of the management restructuring, it also said it will make some executive changes.

Foremost among the changes is the promotion of Brian Piwek to A&P corporate president and c.o.o., reporting to chairman and c.e.o. Christian Haub. Piwek had been A&P U.S. president and c.e.o. He joined the retailer in 1997 as vice chairman of its Canadian division, then rose to c.e.o. of A&P Canada in 2000, leading a turnaround and subsequent successful buildup of that business. He assumed leadership of the A&P U.S. operation in 2002, where he has overseen the initial stages of a turnaround initiative.

In a statement, Haub said: "Through Brian's leadership we have stabilized our results in the U.S., defined strategies to revitalize our customer offer, and created the optimal management organization to execute those strategies, going forward. I will continue working closely with him in our new structure as he drives the ongoing improvement of our U.S. business, and also directly with Eric Claus, president and c.e.o. of A&P Canada, as he leads us to the next level of development in Ontario."

The company also named Mitchell P. Goldstein e.v.p., in which capacity he will also report to Haub. Goldstein joined A&P in 2000 as s.v.p., finance and treasurer, becoming c.f.o. in 2002.

"Mitch has played a critical role over the past two years in managing and preserving our Company's financial position and liquidity," noted Haub. "In addition to finance responsibility, he will work with me, Brian Piwek, and Eric Claus on strategic planning, business analysis, budgeting, and cost management for the U.S. and Canadian operations."

A&P officials were unavailable for further comment.

A&P operates 633 stores in 10 states, the District of Columbia, and Ontario, Canada under the A&P, Waldbaum's, The Food Emporium, Super Foodmart, Super Fresh, Farmer Jack, Sav-A-Center, Dominion, The Barn Markets, Food Basics and Ultra Food & Drug banners.

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