Safeway names Lori Raya president of its Vons division

Cindy Allen

PLEASANTON, California , January 31, 2012 (PRNewswire) – Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) named Lori Raya President of its Vons Division. Ms. Raya built her reputation as a seasoned retail executive running store operations in several of Safeway's key operating divisions, and brings to her new role a unique set of skills having cross-trained at a senior-level, successfully managing large marketing units that together represent nearly half of the company's business volume.

In her most recent position as SVP, Main Meal, Ms. Raya had responsibility for the company's largest portfolio of center-store business units including Ingredients, Beverages and Snacks. She joined the company nearly 25 years ago as a clerk in the company's Denver Division. Ms. Raya progressed through the retail ranks including assignments at the company's corporate office, and then as District Manager at Vons and VP, Retail Operations in Safeway's Northern California Division. In 2009, Ms. Raya joined the perishable marketing team as a GVP, Deli/Food Service and Bakery and was promoted to SVP, with added responsibility for Dairy/Refrigerated and Frozen Food, before assuming her previous role in mid-2011.

"Lori's considerable breadth of experience running major retail units, as well as large perishable and non-perishable marketing functions within the company, make her an excellent fit for the leadership role at Vons," said Safeway's Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Steve Burd. "That combined with her exceptional track record of success has positioned her perfectly to run one of our largest operating divisions."

About Safeway www.Safeway.comSafeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,681 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $41.1 billion in 2010. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/30/4225821/safeway-names-new-vons-division.html#storylink=cpy

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