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Rosauers Supermarkets names Cliff Rigsbee CEO

Jeff Philipps to retire after over 20 years as regional grocer’s chief executive

Russell Redman

June 8, 2021

2 Min Read
Rosauers_Supermarkets-store_banner.jpg
Cliff Rigsbee brings years of experience at Albertsons in taking the reins as Rosauers CEO from Jeff Philipps.Rosauers Supermarkets

Former Albertsons executive Cliff Rigsbee is joining Rosauers Supermarkets as president and chief executive officer, succeeding longtime CEO Jeff Philipps, who is retiring. 

Plans call for Rigsbee, currently CEO and chief marketing officer at spring water company Hawaiian Springs, to start at Rosauers on June 21, the Spokane, Wash.-based regional operator of 22 grocery stores said yesterday. Philipps is slated to retire on Aug. 13.

“Cliff is very well-qualified with extensive industry experience and an enthusiasm to create vision and success for our company and employees,” Philipps wrote in a letter to employees on his retirement.

Cliff Rigsbee-Rosauers Supermarkets-portrait.jpgRigsbee (left) has served as CEO and CMO at Honolulu-based Hawaiian Springs since joining the company in April. That followed a 29-year career at supermarket giant Albertsons Cos./Albertson’s LLC, most recently as the senior vice president of merchandising and marketing for Safeway’s Northern California division from November 2018 to September 2020. 

Before that, Rigsbee held the post of vice president of merchandising and marketing for Albertsons’ 120-store Denver division (November 2017 to November 2018) and its 84-store Intermountain division (February 2017 to November 2017). He also served as corporate vice president of grocery retail support for six Albertsons divisions, supporting such retail banners as Jewel-Osco and Acme, among others.

Related:King Kullen names Joseph Brown president, COO

Previously, Rigsbee also served in such roles as Albertsons group store director and store director for parent Supervalu, as well as alcohol beverage sales manager for Albertson’s LLC, the predecessor of Albertsons Cos.

“I am unbelievably excited to join the Rosauers team,” Rigsbee said in a statement. “Rosauers has always been a leader in selection, quality, service and giving back to the communities they serve. I’m committed to retaining the more than 80-year legacy of putting customers and employees first while leading Rosauers to be the neighborhood solution in this ever-changing world.”

Jeff Philipps-Rosauers Supermarkets-high res.jpgPhilipps (left) has served as Rosauers president and CEO since coming to the company in July 2000 and has been in the industry for over 49 years. Prior to that, he was vice president of marketing for Fleming Foods (May 1999 to June 2000) and chief operating officer of Carr-Gottstein Foods (February 1996 to April 1999).

Rosauers noted that Philipps led the expansion of the retailer’s footprint into six new markets and grew sales to almost $600 million during his tenure.

“There will always be more work to be done, but as I retire, I am confident that Rosauers is on solid ground with amazing talent and experience to take on the challenges of our industry, and lead in a manner that will create future success for all,” Philipps commented.

Related:New Seasons Market taps Nancy Lebold as CEO

Overall, Rosauers operates 22 supermarkets in Washington, Montana, Idaho and Oregon. The chain is a subsidiary of URM Stores, a Spokane-based grocery wholesale cooperative.

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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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