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Weis Markets names Robert Gleeson to lead fresh departments

Onetime Shoppers president succeeds retired John Grimes

Russell Redman

July 18, 2019

1 Min Read
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Former Supervalu retail executive Robert Gleeson has joined Weis Markets as vice president of fresh merchandising.

Sunbury, Pa.-based Weis said yesterday that Gleeson takes over the post from John Grimes, who retired from the company at the end of June.

Robert_Gleeson_Weis_Markets.pngIn his new role, Gleeson (left) will oversee the day-to-day merchandising and procurement of Weis’ meat, produce, bakery, deli, foodservice, seafood and floral departments. He reports to Richard Gunn, senior vice president of merchandising and marketing.

“Bob Gleeson is a proven leader with extensive merchandising experience and a deep understanding of key parts of our seven-state market area,” Gunn said in a statement.

Most recently, Gleeson served as president of the Shoppers Food & Pharmacy division of Supervalu, a position he held from September 2013 to June 2018. He began his career with Shoppers food and drug chain in 1984 as a part-time grocery associate. During his 29-year career with Lanham, Md.-based Shoppers and Supervalu, which bought the chain in 1999 as part of the Richfood Holdings acquisition, he served in a range of senior leadership posts, including as vice president of center store and senior vice president of merchandising before becoming Shoppers division president.

Related:Weis Markets engages more closely with customers

Grimes, who was vice president of meat, deli and seafood at Weis, came to the company in 2008 after more than 26 years at Price Chopper Supermarkets, most recently as meat category manager.

“We are also grateful to John Grimes for his many contributions over the past 11 years with our company and wish him well in the years ahead,” Gunn commented.

Overall, Weis Markets operates 200 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York West Virginia and Virginia.

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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