The Board of Directors of Big Y Foods, Inc. has announced several changes in the company’s leadership effective January 24.
According to the independent grocery chain, the company’s CEO, Charles L. D’Amour, son of co-founder Gerald D’Amour, will become executive chairman of the Board.
The CEO and president position will be filled by Michael D’Amour, grandson of the company’s other co-founder, Paul D’Amour. Richard D. Bossie was named vice chairman and chief operating officer.
Headquartered in Springfield, MA, Big Y is one of New England’s largest independently-owned supermarket chains. The family-owned company operates almost 80 stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts with over 11,000 employees.
As executive chairman, Charles L. D’Amour will continue to provide oversight, strategic advice, and board leadership as this transition manifests. In addition, he will also continue to serve as a member of the real estate and development committee.
He was appointed to president in 2006 and CEO in 2019.
As a young man, he began his career working in various positions at the supermarket until he became a store manager. In college, he studied law and rejoined the company in 1978, where he continued to climb the ranks, including vice president of sales and marketing and COO.
“For nearly 90 years, Big Y has been proud to honor the legacy of our founders, Paul and Gerry D’Amour, as a family company focused on our employees, customers, and the communities we serve. It’s been an honor to have been personally connected with our company and to have had the privilege of working alongside my father, uncle, cousin Donald, and sister Claire,” said Charles D’Amour.
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On the other executive leadership changes, he said: “I have worked closely with Michael D’Amour, other members of our third generation of family members along with the rest of our leadership team who are all well poised to lead our company and continue that legacy of service. I have the utmost trust and confidence in Michael and Rick to continue our company’s growth and success.”
As president and CEO, Michael D’Amour will guide the company’s overall direction and drive strategic initiatives and growth while maintaining the company’s mission.
He was appointed COO in 2019 and currently serves on the Board of FMI/The Food Industry Association and Topco Associates, an $18 billion food cooperative based in Itasca, IL.
“I am extremely excited and humbled for the opportunity to continue to help serve and lead our wonderful company to many more years of growth in service to the communities in which we operate. I would like to thank my father, Donald, for his guidance and Charlie, for his steadfast mentorship over the years, and our senior leadership team for their continuous support,” said D’Amour.
Meanwhile, as newly appointed executive vice president and COO, Bossie will work with CEO Michael D’Amour to oversee all company operational areas.
Bossie has over 40 years of experience in the supermarket industry, where he started as a part-time service clerk. He joined Big Y Foods in 1986 and has worked in all areas of store operations, including store manager and later as district manager until his appointment as chief operating officer in 2010. In 2019, he was named senior vice president of retail operations and customer experience.
“I am honored for this tremendous opportunity to work in partnership with Michael to drive innovation and enhance the development of our industry-leading teams,” said Bossie.