Supervalu appoints Mark Gross president and CEO

Supervalu Inc., Minneapolis, announced the appointment of Mark Gross as the company’s president and CEO, effective Feb. 5. Gross will succeed Sam Duncan, who previously announced his retirement plans.

“Mark is a talented, strategic and results-driven leader with a wealth of industry experience,” said Jerry Storch, Supervalu’s non-executive chairman of the company’s board of directors. “We are extremely pleased that Mark will be leading Supervalu, and we look forward to working with him to drive the company’s performance.”

Gross joins Supervalu with 20 years of grocery and wholesale leadership experience. From 1997 to 2006, he worked at C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc., Keene, N.H., where he served as co-president of its overall operations from 2005-2006. Additionally, during his tenure with C&S, Gross served as chief financial officer, general counsel and president of the company's affiliated retail grocery operations.

“I am thrilled to join Supervalu,” Gross said. “I am delighted to have the opportunity to help take the company to the next level and to work with the board and management team to set the strategic path for the future. I look forward to working with our great customers and the talented group of employees in this company, including working with Eric Claus as Supervalu continues to explore and prepare for a potential spin-off of Save-A-Lot.”

Supervalu also announced that Duncan will be stepping down from the company’s 11-person board of directors effective with his retirement on Feb. 29. Until that time, he will continue with the company as a special advisor to the board of directors to facilitate a smooth transition. Gross will be appointed to the board effective March 1.

Supervalu said also that Bruce Besanko, chief operating officer, will report to Gross and continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of the company’s Independent Business and Retail Food segments, as well as the company’s finance organization.

“I am proud of all that we have accomplished these past three years and thankful for the opportunity I’ve had to lead this great company,” Duncan said. “Supervalu has tremendous employees, customers and licensees, and I leave here knowing the company is in good hands with a strong leadership team and a great foundation in place to build on.”