MINNEAPOLIS, Apr 20, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --SUPERVALU INC. (NYSE:SVU) announced today that, after a deliberative
review, it is making changes to the size and composition of its board of
directors. Actions include reducing current board membership from 15 to
12 directors, adding two new directors to bring new perspectives to the
board's oversight of the company, and naming a non-executive chairman.
After many years of distinguished service, five board members are
leaving the company. As planned following his 2009 retirement
announcement, Jeff Noddle, age 63, current chairman of the board and
former chief executive officer of SUPERVALU, will be retiring effective
at the company's annual meeting in June 2010. Lawrence A. Del Santo, age
76, who has been a director since 1997 and lead director since 2006; and
Garnett L. Keith, Jr., age 74, are also retiring from the board
effective at the annual meeting. In addition, A. Gary Ames, 65, and
Marissa T. Peterson, age 48, whose terms would expire in 2011,
voluntarily resigned from the board effective April 14, 2010.
The board also announced that it is nominating Matthew E. Rubel, age 52,
chairman, CEO and president of the footwear, accessory and lifestyle
brand company Collective Brands, Inc. (owner of Payless ShoeSource), and
Donald R. Chappel, age 58, senior vice president and chief financial
officer of The Williams Companies, Inc., an energy transmission company,
to stand for election at the company's annual meeting.
Finally, the board expects to name Wayne C. Sales, age 60, retired vice
chairman of Canadian Tire Corporation Limited and a director of
SUPERVALU since the Albertsons acquisition in 2006, to the newly created
position of non-executive chairman following the annual meeting.
Mr. Sales stated, "The board is grateful for the leadership that Jeff
and Larry have provided, and the important contributions of all of our
directors. These include, most recently, their execution of a successful
transition to new leadership under Craig Herkert, the guidance they have
provided to help SUPERVALU navigate through the recent economic
environment while maintaining its focus on long-term value creation, and
their dedication to the highest standards of board governance."
Upon the completion of these changes, 11 of the company's 12 directors
will be independent directors under the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE")
listing standards.
About SUPERVALU INC.
SUPERVALU INC. is one of the largest companies in the U.S. grocery
channel with estimated annual sales of $39 billion. SUPERVALU serves
customers across the United States through a network of approximately
4,290 stores composed of approximately 1,160 traditional retail stores,
including 840 in-store pharmacies; 1,190 hard-discount stores, of which
855 are operated by licensee owners; and 1,940 independent stores
serviced primarily by the company's traditional food distribution
business. SUPERVALU has approximately 160,000 employees. For more
information about SUPERVALU visit www.supervalu.com.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION FOR THE
PURPOSE OF "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION
REFORM ACT OF 1995.
Except for the historical and factual information contained herein,
the matters set forth in this news release, particularly those
pertaining to SUPERVALU's expectations, guidance, or future operating
results, and other statements identified by words such as "estimates,"
"expects," "projects," "plans," and similar expressions are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor"
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the impact
of economic conditions, strategic initiatives, competition, food and
drug safety issues, liquidity, labor relations issues, escalating costs
of providing employee benefits, regulatory matters, self-insurance,
legal and administrative proceedings, information technology, severe
weather, natural disasters and adverse climate changes, the continuing
review of goodwill and other intangible assets, accounting matters and
other risk factors relating to our business or industry as detailed from
time to time in SUPERVALU's reports filed with the SEC.You
should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date of this news release. Unless legally
required, SUPERVALU undertakes no obligation to update or revise
publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE: SUPERVALU INC.
SUPERVALU INC.
Media:
Haley Meyer, 952-828-4786
Haley.meyer@supervalu.com
or
Investors:
Kenneth Levy, 952-828-4540
kenneth.b.levy@supervalu.com
