IGA APPOINTS NEW SENIOR DIRECTOR OF BRANDING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

CHICAGO, IL - IGA today announced James J. Walz has been named senior director of branding and business development. Walz, who begins his appointment immediately, will report directly to IGA Vice President, U.S. Chief Growth Officer, Doug Fritsch.

Walz begins his tenure with IGA in what is anticipated to be an intensively strong growth period. Utilizing his many years of experience, Walz will manage and enhance development of IGA branding programs, which will address the needs of existing IGA Retailers and increase the number of IGA branded retail locations.

Walz began his career in the food industry in 1976 with White Hen Pantry division as a store counselor and merchandizing specialist. Over the next 25 years he advanced steadily in the White Hen corporation, holding positions ranging from regional management to director of franchise and training, and ultimately, to senior director of store automation. Since 2002, Walz was affiliated with FranNet, a leading franchise consulting firm and referral network organization. Walz obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisc.

“Jim Walz brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to this new position at IGA,” Fritsch said. “His accomplishments at White Hen Pantry are well-known to me in my former capacities with that same corporation. There is no doubt that his extensive knowledge of development and branding will serve all of IGA’s current retailers in their desire to find new ways to grow. He will also play an instrumental role in expanding our IGA banner in both existing and in new markets. Having worked with Jim in the past years, I can enthusiastically say that I am excited to have him on board with our team as we embark on this upcoming period of strong growth.”

“I was impressed with the full range of roles Walz held in his long tenure with White Hen, and the insight that experience has given him into every aspect of the retail business,” said President, IGA Coca-Cola Institute, Paulo Goelzer, Ph.D. “Walz has extensive experience in program development, including the design of programs that assist retailers in implementing better controls, as well as improving productivity and increasing sales. He will make a sterling contribution to the mission of our Institute.”

“With the approach of IGA’s 80th Anniversary, I am elated to serve the historic goals of this powerful Hometown Proud alliance,” said Walz. “Strengthening and expanding the IGA Brand as a whole will energize sales for our IGA Retailers while at the same time enticing more potential stores to adopt the IGA banner. I am eager to find new ways to meet the needs of IGA retailers in their demand to improve services for the customers and communities they serve.”

IGA, the only global supermarketer based in the United States, is the world’s largest voluntary supermarket network with aggregate worldwide retail sales of more than $21 billion per year. The Alliance includes more than 4,000 Hometown Proud Supermarkets worldwide, supported by 36 distribution companies and more the 55 major manufacturers, vendors and suppliers encompassing everything from grocery to equipment items. IGA ranks in the top 10 in world food supermarketing. IGA has operations in 48 of the United States and more than 40 countries, commonwealths and territories on all six inhabited continents.