Ahold USA Retail has announced two changes to its executive management team. Ron Onorato, current Stop & Shop New York metro division president, will be moving into a new role as senior vice president of operational initiatives, while Don Sussman will become president of Stop & Shop’s New York division.
In his new role, Onorato will be responsible for working with the retailer’s four division presidents to identify and help implement best practices in the area of operational excellence, driving and supporting successful performance within the divisions. Onorato will work with the divisions to develop and execute strategies to operate their businesses more effectively and efficiently. He will work closely with Brad Morgan, Ahold USA’s newly-appointed vice president of cost and capital efficiency, to implement the retailer’s overall strategy of simplicity. In this role, Onorato will report to Bhavdeep Singh, EVP of operations for Ahold USA.
In making the announcement, Ahold USA COO Carl Schlicker said, “Ron is uniquely qualified for this newly-created role. He brings solid leadership skills as well as more than 35 years of operational experience with Ahold businesses, most recently as the division president for the Stop & Shop New York metro division. I would like to thank Ron for his many contributions in that role.”
In his new post, Sussman will have responsibility for New York Metro’s sales, operating profits, organization and people. Sussman will serve as the face and voice of the division, both internally and externally with respect to associates, customers, the community and vendors. He will preserve the local Stop & Shop brand while ensuring that results are achieved within the division. Sussman will be located in the division’s new Purchase, NY office.
Reporting directly to Sussman will be: Bob Yager, senior vice president of store operations; John Ruane, vice president of sales and merchandising; Francesca Weissman, vice president and controller; David Gillis, division vice president of human resources; Ed Ruddy, director of distribution operations; and Chuck Martin, director of quality assurance. Sussman will report to Singh.
“Don is well qualified for this role, with more than 32 years of broad retail experience and 16 years within Ahold USA businesses,” said Schlicker. “Don is a lifelong resident of New York and he knows the marketplace well.”
Sussman started his career at Pathmark where he held a variety of roles, including assistant store manager, director of sales for the New York division, vice president of meat, and vice president of grocery.
Sussman joined Stop & Shop in 1995, and he has spent many years in leadership roles in merchandising and marketing functions for Stop & Shop, Giant/Landover, and Ahold USA, including SVP of non-perishables, and EVP of merchandising and marketing. This year he served as the interim division president for the Giant/Landover division, and most recently, he held the position of EVP, Ahold USA supply chain.
A transition plan is currently underway for Sussman’s supply chain role.