Jerry “JJ” Fleeman, Ahold Delhaize USA’s (ADUSA) chief executive officer, will leave the large Dutch-owned retailer at the end of June to become CEO of Dollar General, effective January 1, 2027. He will replace Todd Vasos, who will continue to serve as a senior advisor to the Goodlettsville, TN-based discounter until April 2, 2027. Vasos, who served as Dollar General CEO from 2015 until 2022 and again from 2023 until next January, will remain on the company’s board.
David Rowland, Dollar General’s chairman of the board said this about Fleeman’s hire: “(Fleeman) has a proven CEO track record of establishing a clear strategic vision and driving measurable results. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to strengthening customer relationships, driving strong cultures that enable meaningful employee experiences, and creating lasting impact across the communities he serves.”
The move from ADUSA to a competitor (albeit in another channel) came as a surprise as Fleeman has spent his entire 36-year grocery industry career at Ahold and Delhaize owned companies.
At presstime, the Dutch-based retailer had appointed no interim leader and said it will provide updates on the succession process as appropriate.
Before being named chief executive at ADUSA, Fleeman spent most of his career at Food Lion, ADUSA’s largest brand. Throughout his service with the company, he has held a diverse array of executive leadership roles, covering strategy, commercial, digital, retail operations, marketing and merchandising. ADUSA noted that as the president of Peapod Digital Labs from 2018 to 2023, Fleeman was instrumental in laying the foundations of the omnichannel model that continues to drive the company’s success.
Fleeman was appointed CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA and became a member of the Ahold Delhaize management board at the company’s 2023 shareholder meeting. He succeeded Kevin Holt who oversaw ADUSA from 2018 until 2023. Holt was the first chief executive of the retailer’s U. S operations after Ahold and Delhaize merged their retail organizations.
As CEO of Ahold Delhaize’s U.S. operations, Fleeman supervised the company’s five major retail banners – The Giant Company, Giant Food, Hannaford, Stop & Shop and Food Lion – totaling about 2,100 supermarkets, He also had responsibility for all of ADUSA’s administrative distribution and related operations.
“I am grateful for the strong omnichannel foundation JJ has helped build, and I have full confidence in our U.S. leadership team to continue executing our ‘Growing Together’ strategy,” said Frans Muller, president and CEO of Ahold Delhaize. “JJ’s strength in bringing teams together, developing a ‘winning together’ culture, combined with his ability to recognize talent and personal leadership will leave a lasting legacy in our company. We have appreciated JJ’s vision and business insights as part of our management board conversations and wish him success in his future endeavors.”
“Over the past 36 years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside extraordinary teams across the companies of Ahold Delhaize, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together for our customers and communities,” said JJ. “As I look ahead to a new chapter, I’m grateful for the associates who bring our brands to life every day, and I’m committed to supporting a smooth transition.”
“On behalf of the supervisory board, I would like to thank JJ for his dedicated leadership and the progress made across our U.S. businesses,” added Wiebe Draijer, chair of the supervisory board of Ahold Delhaize. “We are committed to an orderly transition and to ensuring continued focus on the execution of our Growing Together strategy, serving our customers and communities in the markets our brands operate in.”
Shortly after Ahold Delhaize announced Fleeman’s departure on March 24, the North Carolina native sent a message to his fellow ADUSA associates:
“As you saw in a separate message this morning, Ahold Delhaize announced that I will be leaving the organization at the end of June. I want to share with you that this has been a deeply personal and difficult decision for me, after spending my entire 36-year career here – a place that I will always cherish and that holds a special place in my heart.
“Over the next several months, I want you to know that my focus and commitment remain on ensuring a seamless transition to continue to advance the Growing Together strategy. There is nothing more important to me right now than making that happen.
“I have full confidence in our entire Ahold Delhaize USA Support Services team, and we will have more time to talk about the transition and next steps in the coming months, including our next town hall. I remain confident in the plans Ahold Delhaize USA has to invest in and grow the U.S. businesses as part of our Growing Together strategy.
“Until this transition occurs, I remain focused on accelerating our Growing Together strategy and working alongside this team to drive our businesses forward. I look forward to connecting in the months ahead and appreciate your support during this transition.”
