Multiple grocers announced top-level executive changes last month. One of the most significant revelations came from Ahold Delhaize USA, whose CEO will depart in June and will take over as chief executive of Dollar General next January. Other food retailers that disclosed C-level shifts in March include Heritage Grocers Group, which named a new CEO, and The Raley’s Companies, whose CEO abruptly left and was replaced by the company’s chairman.
Here’s a look at some of the most significant executive-level changes that took place in the grocery industry in March.
Ahold Delhaize USA announces CEO will leave, names a new private label head
JJ Fleeman, who became chief executive of Ahold Delhaize’s stateside unit in 2023, is preparing to leave in June after working in various roles for the company and its divisions for 36 years. He is set to take over in January 2027 as CEO of Dollar General, which highlighted its grocery business in announcing that it has tapped Fleeman for the top job at the discounter. Ahold Dehlaize USA did not say who will replace Fleeman after he departs from the supermarket operator.
Ahold Delhaize USA also promoted Abby Cook to senior vice president of Own Brands. Cook most recently served as vice president of U.S. strategy and portfolio for the retailer.
Raley’s CEO departs
Keith Knopf has left the grocery company after serving for more than seven years as its president and CEO. The grocer said that Mike Teel, The Raleys’ Companies’ owner and chairman, has taken over as chief executive. Teel previously served as CEO of Raley’s, stepping aside in 2018 when Knopf was promoted to the position.
Heritage Grocers finally gets a new leader
The Hispanic grocery store operator appointed David Hinojosa as CEO, filling a void created in July 2025 when Suzy Monford stepped down after less than a year running the company. Hinojosa comes to Heritage from Vallarta Supermarkets and worked for H-E-B and ShopRite earlier in his career.
Brookshire Grocery’s leader retires
Brad Brookshire is stepping down as the grocer’s CEO and chairman following a career with the grocery company that spanned almost half a century. During Brookshire’s 10 years as CEO, the company expanded its store fleet by nearly half, to 222 locations. He was replaced on an interim basis by Jerry LeClair, Brookshire’s chief operating officer.
Brookshire Brothers reorganizes its C-suite
The grocer said it had made four top-level executive changes that included naming Clay Oliver as COO and promoting Jessica Brown, who formerly served as vice president of accounting and treasury, to replace Oliver as CFO. Brookshire Brothers also promoted Stephanie Cole to vice president of accounting and moved Jeff Bates up to the position of general counsel.
Kroger appoints a chief data and AI officer
The grocer named Milen Mahadevan to oversee its efforts to “fully maximize our data assets and advantages.” In addition to serving as Kroger’s first chief data and AI officer, Mahadevan will remain president of the supermarket chain’s 84.51° analytics subsidiary, a position he has held since 2020.
