Bertram To Head Giant/Martin's; Perkins Back At Helm Of Acme

Two of Pennsylvania’s largest chains – Giant/Martin’s and Acme Markets – announced leadership changes at the top of their organizations.

At Carlisle, PA based Giant/Martin’s, president Tom Lenkevich announced he will be retiring at the end of the year. Named to replace Lenkevich is Nick Bertram, current senior VP of merchandising for parent company Ahold USA, a unit of Ahold Delhaize. Bertram has more than 20 years of retail experience, including stints at Jewel-Osco and Wal-Mart. He joined AUSA in 2013. “I am confident that Nick’s experience and knowledge will make his transition into the president’s role a smooth one,” said Kevin Holt chief operating of Ahold USA. “Nick has been a key architect of our commercial strategy and a leader in the ongoing work to create brand-centric organizations that put the customer at the center of all we do.”

Lenkevich, whose career history dates back to the old Pantry Pride organization in his native Central Pennsylvania, also served as chief operating officer for Save-A-Lot. Other leadership positions include posts at Meijer and A&P. He joined AUSA as president of Giant/Martin’s in March 2014.

“I want to thank Tom for his leadership over the past few years at Giant/Martin’s and wish him well on his retirement. Tom helped raise the bar on the importance of both customer service and associate engagement. Tom has created a culture of teamwork, where associates are celebrated as ‘heroes’ and empowered to believe that ‘yes I can’ make a difference. I wish Tom well in his retirement, when he looks forward with spending more time with his wife and children,” said Holt

At Acme Markets, veteran executive Jim Perkins has reassumed the president’s role at the 175- store regional chain. Dan Croce, who was president of the Malvern, PA based merchant, becomes senior vice president of operations.

Perkins, who has served as an advisor to Acme since January of 2017 will also retain the title of executive vice president of parent company Albertsons. When Perkins was promoted to supervise Albertsons’ east region operations in 2015, Croce, who at that time was VP marketing and merchandising for Acme, was named president.  Perkins, who subsequently served as EVP west region operations, joined Albertsons in 1982 as a courtesy clerk and has held a variety of leadership roles at the Boise, ID based supermarket chain.  His first stint as president of Acme began in February 2013, shortly after Albertsons acquired Acme and several other regional chains from Supervalu.

Croce began his industry career with A&P in 1985 before joining Acme in 2005 as a district manager.