Van Helden Chosen to Lead Albertsons' New California Division

BOISE, Idaho - Albertsons, Inc. has appointed Pete Van Helden president and c.e.o. of the retailer's newly created California Food Division. The division combines the former Northern and Southern California Albertsons' food divisions into one business unit comprising more than 500 stores and over 41,000 associates.

Van Helden, formerly president of the Jewel-Osco division, is a 26-year Albertsons veteran and has held a variety of leadership positions, including operations, merger integration and, dual branding. He will report directly to Albertsons chairman, c.e.o., and president Larry Johnston.

In a statement Johnston said: "We are fortunate to have a highly talented and seasoned leader like Pete Van Helden to take on this critically important assignment in our company. He has built a successful track record leading operations teams across the company, including most recently running our largest dual-branded division, Jewel-Osco. With this move we are increasing our focus on California, accelerating the dual-branded partnership between Albertsons and Sav-on Drug, and strengthening our leadership team. Pete and his team will be exploring key synergies in human resources, procurement, merchandising, and six sigma quality that will drive Albertsons' continued success in this important market."

The headquarters of the California Food Division will be in Fullerton, Calif. Dave Simonson remains president of the Southern California Region, and Donna Robbins will continue as president of the Northern California Region, with both reporting directly to Van Helden. The changes do not affect Sav-on Drug, which is a separate business and part of the company's Drug Division.
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