Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers didn’t have to go far to find its next president and CEO.
On Wednesday the company announced Anthony Hucker, who has been serving in that role on an interim basis since July, was named to the position permanently.
“We are pleased to welcome Anthony as CEO of Southeastern Grocers as he was always part of our succession plan,” the company said in a news release. “He has played an integral role in our successful transformation over the last 18 months and we are positive he is the right leader to guide SEG.”
Southeastern Grocers LLC is the parent company of Bi-Lo, Fresco y Más, Harveys and Winn-Dixie.
“I’m grateful to our leadership team for the smooth transition over the past six weeks and I’m excited for the opportunity to continue to drive the strategic direction of the company,” Hucker said in the release.
“Over the past two years, we’ve made substantial progress in our transformation, and we’re ready to push forward,” he said.
Hucker was named interim president and CEO following the departure of Ian McLeod, who resigned in June to become group chief executive of Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd. In Hong Kong.
Hucker joined Southeastern Grocers in 2016 as chief operating officer.
He previously was president and COO of Schnucks, a Midwest food retailer. He also served as president of Giant Food and was on the executive board of Ahold USA.