GRIESHABER NAMED DILLON PRESIDENT

Joe Grieshaber

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday said it has named Joe Grieshaber as president of its Dillon Food Stores division, replacing John Bays, who is retiring after 42 years with the company. Grieshaber, 52, began his career with Kroger in 1983 as a store manager trainee in Nashville. Since 2003, he has served as group vice president of perishables merchandising for Kroger. Dillon, based in Hutchinson, Kan., operates 91 stores in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

DUNNHUMBY USA ELEVATES AITKEN

CINCINNATI — Loyalty marketing firm Dunnhumby USA here said last week that Stuart Aitken has been promoted to chief executive officer. Aitken was hired a year ago as chief operating officer, taking over management duties from then-CEO Simon Hay. Since his hiring, Dunnhumby has expanded its relationship with Macy's and has established Dunnhumby Canada, where it works with grocery retailer Metro Inc. In the U.S., Dunnhumby works with Kroger Co. Aitken is a former executive with Safeway and Michael's Stores.

WEESE PROMOTED AT REASOR'S

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Les Weese has been appointed director of Center Store for Reasor's here. Weese will direct merchandising, shelf management and product procurement efforts. Weese is a 25-year veteran of family-owned Reasor's. He was previously director of merchandising for the 15-store supermarket chain and its two convenience stores. He will report directly to Steve Lehto, vice president and chief operating officer of Reasor's. “We are fortunate to have someone as strategic and knowledgeable as Weese leading the teams to drive our initiatives forward at a faster pace,” said Reasor's President Allen Mills, in a statement.

PLAMANN NAMED VICE CHAIR OF COUNCIL

SAN FRANCISCO — The Economic Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank here said it has elected Alfred A. Plamann, president and chief executive officer of Unified Grocers, Los Angeles, as vice chair. Plamann has been a member of the council since January 2009. Members of the council provide information on current and pending developments in the regional and national economies. The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco provides wholesale banking services to financial institutions throughout nine Western states and, as the nation's central bank, formulates monetary policy, serves as a bank regulator, administers consumer protection laws and is fiscal agent for the U.S. government.

POGGI HEADS CGA FOUNDATION BOARD

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Grocers Association said Pam Poggi, vice president, corporate human resources development, Safeway, Pleasanton, Calif., has been named chair of CGA's Educational Foundation Board of Trustees. According to CGA, the foundation's objectives include conducting industry research and sharing information, promoting and encouraging educational and employment opportunities, developing training and educational methods and materials, and promoting and encouraging community service programs. The board is comprised of grocery retailers and suppliers from throughout California. Poggi succeeds Ray Fager, senior vice president, business intelligence, for Crossmark, Plano, Texas, who had been based in Northern California but has relocated to Minnesota.