Byron Allumbaugh's distinguished career has been marked by a 38-year tenure with Ralphs Grocery Co., including almost 20 years as chairman and chief executive officer. Following are some of the highlights in his career:
hin five years becomes vice president and general manager.
1958 Allumbaugh is named director of meat operations for Ralphs, where he was a pioneer in developing block ready beef.
1967 Ralphs family asks Allumbaugh to take on other management responsibilities after running the meat operations for nine years.
1968 The third generation of the Ralphs family sells the business to Federated Department Stores. Ralphs' volume at the time is about $150 million.
1971 Allumbaugh named chief operating officer of Ralphs.
1973 Allumbaugh becomes president of Ralphs
1976 Allumbaugh is named chairman and chief executive officer and relinquishes the president and chief operating officer titles.
1988 Federated is acquired by Campeau Corp. of Canada. Ralphs undergoes an LBO with Campeau as its partner. The result was the emergence of an independent Ralphs heavy in debt.
1992 The majority of Ralphs stock is transferred from Campeau to Edward J. DeBartolo Corp. to settle a loan.
1993 DeBartolo needs to sell assets so Ralphs begins looking for new owners.
1995 Ralphs merges with Food 4 Less Supermarkets. Ralphs Grocery Co. is the new corporate name. Allumbaugh becomes chief executive officer of new entity with sales of more than $5 billion.
1996 George Golleher succeeds Allumbaugh as CEO of Ralphs. Allumbaugh resumes the title of Ralphs chairman. Allumbaugh plans to retire in 1997 at age 65.
