US retailer Safeway has promoted its senior VP of main meals, Lori Raya, to the role of president of its Vons division.

Raya, who was responsible for the firm’s portfolio of centre-store business units, including ingredients, beverages and snacks, succeeds Tom Keller who retires this week after a 40-year tenure with the company.

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Raya joined Safeway around 25 years ago as a clerk in Safeway’s Denver division. Since then she has held positions including district manager of Vons and VP of retail operations for the company’s Northern California division.

“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 CEO, Steve Burd.

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