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Albertsons names chief HR officer, Portland division president

Mike Theilmann to lead human resources, Gineal Davidson promoted

Russell Redman

August 5, 2019

3 Min Read
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Mike_Theilmann_Albertsons.pngMike Theilmann (left) is joining Albertson Cos. as executive vice president and chief human resources officer, and company veteran Gineal Davidson has been promoted to president of the Portland (Ore.) division.

Albertsons said Monday that Theilmann is slated to start in the new post on Aug. 19. He comes to the Boise, Idaho-based grocer from executive search and leadership consulting firm Heidrick & Struggles, where he was global practice managing partner of the human resources officers practice.

Theilmann will take over from Andy Scoggin, who plans to leave the company at the end of the year, according to Albertsons. Scoggin has served as executive vice president of human resources, public affairs, government relations and labor relations since 2006.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Albertsons Cos.’ leadership team at such a pivotal moment in retail,” Theilmann said in a statement. “At no other time has the retail game been changing faster than it is today. Our omnichannel, technology-driven world isn’t just transforming how we shop; it’s influencing how companies attract, retain and develop talent in order to grow and sustain results, too. I look forward to the opportunity we have across Albertsons Cos.’ 2,200-plus stores to build the best workforce in the industry and to create a culture that people can’t help but want to be part of as employees and as customers.” 

Related:Albertsons Cos. sees digital and e-commerce sales surge

Albertsons noted that Theilmann’s more than 30 years of HR experience includes roles at Diageo, PepsiCo, Yum! Brands and JCPenney. At Yum!, he served in senior HR positions such as VP of people services, VP of human resources for European operations and senior VP and chief people officer for the international business. From 2005 to 2009, Theilmann was chief HR and administration officer at JCPenney, and in 2010 he was promoted to group executive vice president, leading store operations, supply-chain management, HR and administration.

“Mike brings to Albertsons Cos. both proven HR leadership and a winning track record in developing strong cultures of employee engagement and development,” stated Albertsons President and CEO Vivek Sankaran. “His experiences across many industries, in large service-centric companies and his ability to connect operating priorities to talent and culture priorities will be invaluable as we navigate this new era in retail. I look forward to working with Mike as we continue to grow and develop as a locally great, nationally strong omnichannel retailer.”

Gineal_Davidson_Albertsons.pngMeanwhile, Davidson (left) will now lead a company division that operates more than 140 stores in Oregon and Washington. She takes the reins as Portland president from Greg McNiff, who is leaving the company to become president of San Bernardino, Calif.-based Stater Bros. Markets.

Related:George Frahm, Stater Bros. president, to retire

Davidson has been serving as VP of marketing and merchandising for Albertsons’ Intermountain division since October 2017. Before that, she served as VP of strategic initiatives for the Intermountain division and as division VP of marketing and merchandising for the Shaw’s division. She started at the company 30 years ago as a courtesy clerk in Boulder, Colo., and later held such positions as service deli sales manager, store director, district manager and director of sales support before joining the executive ranks.

“We’re thrilled to have an operator of Gineal’s caliber to lead our Portland Division team,” commented Susan Morris, executive VP and chief operations officer at Albertsons. “Gineal is a dynamic leader with a fantastic track record of leading winning teams, and we look forward to her taking on this key role within our company.”

Overall, Albertsons Cos. operates 2,268 food and drug stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under such banners as Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs, Sav-On, Jewel-Osco, Acme, Shaw's, Star Market, United Supermarkets, Market Street, Amigos, Haggen and United Express.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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