Earlier this month, King Kullen veteran executive Joseph W. Brown was promoted to president and chief operating officer and Bernard P. Kennedy was named executive VP of the Hauppauge, NY regional grocery chain.
The announcement coincides with the retirements of Brian C. Cullen and J. Donald Kennedy as co-president and co-COO respectively. Both Cullen and Kennedy will continue to serve King Kullen as members of the board of directors and also remain on the executive committee of the retailer.
Brown, 63, began his career at King Kullen as a teenager 48 years ago, moving up the ranks to senior VP-chief merchandising officer and, most recently, executive VP of the 34-store chain (including five Wild by Nature natural and organic stores) whose store are all located on Long Island. Brown also served as president of Wild by Nature. In addition to his King Kullen responsibilities, Brown is past board president, Long Island Cares/Harry Chapin Food Bank. He resides in Centereach, NY.
Kennedy, 66, a third-generation member of King Kullen’s founding family, has helped guide corporate strategy and development at the regional merchant in addition to overseeing corporate real estate and legal issues. Kennedy most recently served as senior VP-corporate and legal affairs. Beyond King Kullen, he serves on the board of directors of the Long Island Association and Providence House, has held executive positions on the boards of both Family & Children’s Association and Little Flower Children and Family Services, and served as co-managing member of the Garden City, NY office of law firm Bond, Schoeneck & King. Kennedy resides in Point Lookout, NY.
“I am deeply honored to assume leadership of such an iconic Long Island company,” Brown observed. “King Kullen has been a part of my life for nearly 50 years. I have witnessed many changes within the supermarket industry during that time but what has not changed is King Kullen’s commitment to its associates and customers and dedication to the communities in which it operates. I look forward to guiding by these same principles and working with Bernie Kennedy and the executive team on behalf of the entire King Kullen organization.”
“King Kullen has been part of the Kennedy family for three generations,” Kennedy explained. “My father, Bernard, and brother, Don, held leadership positions and it is a privilege to carry on the tradition. I would like to thank the King Kullen board, congratulate Joe on his appointment to president and COO, and express my steadfast commitment to maintaining King Kullen’s position as a leading regional supermarket with a proud history.”
In related news, the company announced the promotions of three longtime executives following a meeting held by its board of directors earlier this month.
Tracey Cullen, 41, has been elected VP of corporate strategy and initiatives. Cullen, who previously served as VP of marketing, was also elected to the Hauppauge, NY-based retailer’s board. Cullen is the great granddaughter of King Kullen founder Michael J. Cullen.
Michael Infantolino, 46, has been elected president of Wild by Nature, an independent subsidiary of King Kullen. Infantolino previously served as VP of Wild by Nature.
Albert Hesse, 65, has been elected VP of King Kullen Pharmacies Corp. Hesse most recently served as the company’s director of pharmacy.
In June 2020, King Kullen and Stop & Shop canceled their proposed merger which was first announced in December 2018. Over the past decade the company has closed approximately six stores as the Long Island market has become more competitive and overstored. Estimated annual sales for the family-owned merchant are $728.1 million.
Founded in 1930 by Michael J. Cullen, King Kullen is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution as American’s first supermarket.