September 28, 2009
Jim Donald Brings Outstanding Record of Success to Haggen, Inc. as New President and CEO
Jim Donald, one of the country’s top executives in the supermarket industry, has been named president and CEO of Haggen, Inc., a 33-store Pacific Northwest grocery company based in Bellingham, Washington
Donald most recently served at Starbucks Corp. from 2002 to 2008, first as president of Starbucks North America and then as president and CEO of Starbucks from 2005 to 2008. During his tenure, Starbucks grew to more than 15,000 stores in 43 countries. Donald was named one of the top 25 CEOs in the world in 2006 by The Best Practice Institute.
“We are extremely pleased to attract an executive with Jim Donald’s skills and record of success to lead our Haggen Food & Pharmacy and TOP Food & Drug stores,” said Don Haggen, co-owner of the company with brother Rick Haggen. “He has the experience of leading large companies, but understands the importance of visiting stores and building strong relationships within the many communities we serve.”
Donald said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to lead one of the most respected companies in the Pacific Northwest.
“Haggen has led the industry in innovation, quality and service and I am proud to join its 3,700 associates in continuing this trend,” Donald said. “Joining Haggen brings me back to my roots in the supermarket industry, a business that I have always had a passion for.”
Donald has more than 30 years of experience in the supermarket industry. He served as president and CEO of Pathmark stores, a privately held 143-store regional supermarket chain on the East Coast, from 1996-2002. He also served as a president of Safeway’s Eastern Division (130 stores). Donald was handpicked by Sam Walton as vice president of food merchandising at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., where he helped lead the development and expansion of Wal-Mart Supercenters. He also held various positions, including store operations, at Albertston’s, Inc.
“Jim Donald has the ability to connect with and motivate people at every level, from clerks to senior managers,” Rick Haggen said. “His emphasis on empowering employees to make decisions has been a hallmark throughout his career.”
Donald is succeeding Dale C. Henley, president and CEO of Haggen, Inc., since 1996, who announced his retirement earlier this year. Henley now becomes a non-executive chairman of the board of Haggen and will continue as president/CEO of Briar Development Co., a Haggen affiliate that develops and owns real estate.
Bellingham-based Haggen, Inc., founded in 1933, operates 33 supermarkets in Washington and Oregon under the Haggen Food & Pharmacy and TOP Food & Drug names. The company had revenue of $844 million in 2008, ranking 72nd among all North American food retailers. Haggen, Inc. also has been among the state of Washington’s top 10 private companies in revenue in recent years and currently is eighth, according to the Puget Sound Business Journal. Haggen, Inc. currently employs 3,700 associate.