Giant Eagle announced that Bill Artman was appointed Chief Executive Officer after being named Interim CEO in March.
During his nearly 40-year tenure with the company, Artman has served in various executive leadership roles, including President of Supermarkets, Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President of Retail Operations. As a result, he has developed a deep and unique understanding of Giant Eagle’s multifaceted business. He has built strong and trusting relationships with Giant Eagle Team Members, customers, vendors, and numerous business and community partners, said the company.
“Bill already has made a tremendous impact in his interim role, giving the Board confidence that he is the right leader to take Giant Eagle to new heights. We are pleased to welcome him as CEO officially,” said Bart Friedman, Chair of the company’s Board of Directors.
“Over the past five months, Bill has established a new business strategy and assembled a strong executive leadership team comprised of an accomplished group of professionals with decades of relevant experience who have both a keen understanding of the company’s unique standing as a multi-format retailer and a strong vision for its future. Combined with Bill’s unique understanding of the history and heritage of the business and markets it operates, we are confident this leadership team will carry the company into many new chapters of success,” Friedman added.
As interim CEO, Artman focused on putting the customer at the center of the company’s efforts. Recent and ongoing efforts include moving quickly to return a revamped weekly circular to mailboxes in Pittsburgh and Cleveland; the reintroduction of the Price Lock promotion to lock prices on more than 1,000 seasonally relevant products; Free Coffee Monday at GetGo®; seasonally impactful fuel discounts; new and expanded personalized savings through the company’s myPerks loyalty platform; and the rollout of a new Team Member perks and discount program that is currently in pilot.
According to Giant Eagle, these efforts represent the company’s pursuit and commitment to providing daily reliable value and unparalleled quality and service to its customers.
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“I’m humbled and honored by the opportunity to lead the company that I’ve been a part of almost four decades while working alongside thousands of exceptional and talented Team Members,” said Artman. “My focus is, and always has been, on delivering for our customers and neighborhoods in which we operate while providing the support our Team Members need so they can deliver the best experience possible for our customers no matter how they choose to shop with us.”
Artman Appoints its Executive Leadership Team
Artman has assembled his leadership team by appointing several executive leaders with decades of industry experience and a keen understanding of the company’s unique standing as a multi-format retailer.
Terri Micklin has been promoted to Executive Vice President and President of GetGo. With more than two decades of retail, fuel, and convenience industry expertise, Micklin brings a wealth of knowledge to this role, having recently served as Senior Vice President of Development and Strategy for GetGo.
Her career includes experience with ExxonMobil Corporation and more than 20 years with Wawa, Inc., where she spearheaded numerous construction initiatives, including new stores, remodels, and other significant projects. Micklin will lead GetGo’s ongoing growth and expansion while prioritizing its food-first approach and guest-obsessed culture.
Jim Tsipakis, RPh., has been promoted to Executive Vice President, President of Supermarkets and Pharmacy. Most recently, Tsipakis was Executive Vice President and President of Giant Eagle Pharmacy. In his new role, he will now oversee Giant Eagle’s Supermarket and Pharmacy businesses.
His expanded responsibilities will enable him to drive transformative strategies to create an exceptional and differentiated in-store experience for customers and continue positioning Giant Eagle Pharmacy as a leading healthcare resource and destination. Tsipakis will lead several vital business areas, including retail and pharmacy operations, supermarket merchandising, and the evolution of the supermarket service culture.
Dave Burnworth has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Most recently, Burnworth was the company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer.
Burnworth’s outstanding financial understanding and strategic vision will further strengthen the company’s financial foundation and ensure its sustained growth in an ever-evolving market. Burnworth will be pivotal in this role in driving financial performance and supporting strategic decision-making.
Graham Watkins has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Information and Supply Chain Officer. Most recently, Watkins was Executive Vice President, Supply Chain Transformation & Operations.
Watkins will maintain responsibility for the company’s supply chain and warehouse operations while also leading its information technology teams to advance the company’s ongoing IT and technology initiatives.
Justin Weinstein has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer. Most recently, Weinstein was Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer.
In this role, Weinstein will lead in defining Giant Eagle’s corporate and go-to-market strategy. He will continue to lead the organization’s strategic planning, analytics, digital, and partnerships functions while serving as Chief of Staff to the CEO. In his expanded role, he also will oversee the company’s enterprise marketing, retail media network, and eCommerce strategy teams.
“Terri, Jim, Dave, Graham, and Justin have consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a deep commitment to our customers,” said Artman. “Their expanded roles within the organization will undoubtedly strengthen our ability to deliver meaningful everyday value and an exceptional omnichannel shopping experience for our customers in an environment that recognizes and rewards our Team Members.”
Completing the Giant Eagle, Inc. executive leadership team are Greg Baker, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, and Janis Leigh, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer.
The company’s executive leadership team is poised to support the approximately 36,000 Team Members working in the Giant Eagle, Market District, Giant Eagle Pharmacy, GetGo, and WetGo.