Obituaries
Joel Sherman, who spent decades in the premium cigar and fine tobacco business has died. Sherman was the longtime president and CEO of Nat Sherman, which was founded in 1930 as a family-owned and operated business. He served as the company’s CEO until 2017 when Altria Group, Inc. acquired the family company. Sherman was an original board member of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, Washington, D.C., where he served for almost 20 years.
Retailers
Mette Uglebjerg was named senior vice president of global food and marketing for Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., the parent company of the Circle K convenience-store brand. Prior to her new role, Uglebjerg served as interim senior vice president, of operations. She joined Laval, Quebec-based Couche-Tard in June 2012 when it acquired Statoil Fuel & Retail ASA.
Laura Varn retired from Parkland USA after six years with the convenience-store retailer and fuel marketer. Varn, who was vice president of people and culture and communications with the company, said she was proud to have helped Calgary, Alberta-based Parkland Corp. grow its U.S. division.
Suppliers
Asheesh Saksena has been named chief strategy and growth officer for General Mills, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He will report to Jeff Harmening, chairman and CEO. Saksena succeeds Dana McNabb, following her prior appointment to Group President, North America Retail. Prior to his new role, Saksena served as chief growth officer for Gap, Inc.
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based food company SpartanNash named Erin Storm as its new senior vice president and chief marketing officer. In her new role, she will oversee all marketing functions for the company, including private label, retail marketing, ecommerce, digital, creative services, shopper insights and loyalty. Storm joins SpartanNash following 18 years with Kellogg’s and its spin-off, Kellanova, where she was most recently vice president of commercial strategy.
Jeff Baskin, former chief revenue officer with Upshop and Flybuy by Radius Networks, has joined Des Moines, Iowa-based NexChapter, a strategic growth advisory firm for the convenience and grocery channels. Baskin will work with retailers and technology providers to elevate omnichannel experiences and maximize returns on technology investments, the company said. Baskin has more than 25 years of experience in retail technology.
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, an alcohol distributor based in Miami, promoted Jamie Gruwer to the position senior vice president, national accounts on premise. Gruwer will report to Chris Williams, Southern Glazer’s executive vice president, national accounts, and will be responsible for expanding supplier partners’ national market presence and increase success of the company’s on-premise customers.
Daniel Calderoni has been named CEO of New York City based-Kind North America, which is a subsidiary of Mars Inc. Prior to his new role, served as the general manager for Mars pet nutrition in Canada, where he led the team since November 2022 out of the Mars Canada headquarters. Before joining Mars, Calderoni held various roles in marketing at Unilever across Brazil, South Africa and China.
Technology and Services
Paul Dobson is the new chief financial officer of Los Angeles-based EVgo Inc., a public electric-vehicle (EV) fast-charging network. Dobson brings more than 30 years of professional experience in finance and operations roles. Prior to his new position, he served as CFO of Ballard Power Solutions, a global provider of clean energy solutions. In his role as CFO, Dobson will help EVgo solidify its path to profitability as it continues to expand its nationwide network.
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