PG People

Big Y names president

The D'Amours' prominence in the executive suite continues at Big Y Foods, Inc., based in Springfield, Mass. The regional chain has named Charles L. D'Amour president. D'Amour will also retain his position as c.o.o. at the company.

D'Amour, the son of Big Y co-founder Gerald D'Amour, worked his way up to store manager through various positions within the grocery chain. After graduating from college and law school, he began his full-time career with Big Y in 1978, subsequently holding the positions of produce sales manager and v.p. of sales and marketing, and then general counsel. In 1989 he became e.v.p. and c.o.o., in which capacity he was instrumental in the development and expansion of Big Y's World Class Market format.

In his new role D'Amour will be responsible for all sales and marketing as well as operations for all divisions of Big Y, among them the liquor division of Town and Country, and Table and Vine. He will continue to lead all real estate activities and development.

Family-owned and -operated Big Y, one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England, operates 54 stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts, with more than 9,000 employees.

Broader now c.e.o. of Sweetbay

Sweetbay and Kash n' Karry, the dual regional Delhaize banners based in Tampa, Fla., now have a c.e.o. Shelley G. Broader, formerly president and c.o.o. at the supermarket chains, has been promoted to the new position after leading the successful creation of Sweetbay, a new shopping experience for Florida customers.

Broader's promotion is also a validation from Delhaize of the concept's initial success. Twenty-six Sweetbay stores are up and running in southwest central Florida, with 49 more planned to be operating by 2007. Broader has 15 years of diverse experience in grocery retailing.

Stop & Shop/Giant Food c.e.o. to retire

Marc Smith, the 52-year-old c.e.o. of Ahold's Stop & Shop/Giant-Landover Arena, based in Quincy, Mass., has said he will retire from the company, although he will stay on for an indefinite period of time to allow for a smooth transition. Ahold has launched an internal and external search for his successor. Although the precise timing of his departure has yet to be determined, Ahold said the timeframe will most likely be several months, depending on the company's needs and how the transition progresses.

Smith joined the company in 1988, became Stop & Shop's c.e.o. in 2000, and four years later took the helm of Giant as well.