MONTVALE, N.J. — A&P president and chief executive officer Sam Martin, who was named to his post in July, has begun assembling a new management team.

A&P president and chief executive officer Sam Martin, who was named to his post in July, has begun assembling a new management team.

The supermarket retailer recently announced the appointment of Frederic Brace to the new position of chief administrative officer (CAO). In this role Brace will oversee A&P’s finance and accounting, real estate, and information systems departments, reporting to Martin.

"Over the last year Jake Brace has provided critical insight to the company on a range of important issues as a member of our board of directors," Martin says. "I am pleased that he has agreed to join A&P’s executive management team and am confident that his strategic and financial expertise and successful turnaround experience will be extremely valuable as we take the steps necessary to position the company for a strong future."

Brace, 52, has more than 25 years of financial management, strategic planning and operational experience. During a 20-year career at United Airlines he held a variety of executive management positions, most recently serving as the company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, posts he held from 2002 until his retirement in 2008.
During that time Brace is credited with playing a critical leadership role in United’s successful turnaround. Brace also served in a number of financial management positions with American Airlines.

A&P has also appointed Carter Knox to the post of senior vice president of human resources and communications.

Knox has an extensive background in human resources and communications, with more than 30 years of management experience in retail sales management and merchandising. Prior to joining A&P he was the senior vice president for human resources at OfficeMax. He has extensive experience in human resources and associate communications, including roles of increasing responsibility with Kroger Co.’s Fred Meyer division.

In his new role at A&P Knox will be responsible for heading the company’s human resources, field and corporate, and labor relations functions, as well as overseeing the company’s public relations and communications departments.

"Carter is an important addition to the team, as he is known for his ability to engage associates, generate innovation and create team synergy," remarks A&P chairman Christian Haub. "His strategic analysis and decision making bring the company an invaluable leader who sees the potential in people and situations and seeks extraordinary achievement."

A&P has also named Paul Hertz executive vice president of operations. He succeeds Mark Kramer, who has left the company to pursue other interests.

Like Martin and Knox, Hertz is a former OfficeMax executive, having most recently served as executive vice president of retail stores. Before that, he served as senior vice president of store ­operations.

Hertz’ career includes positions with grocery and discount retailers. He was a vice president at Wild Oats, and he served as vice president of store operations at Shopko. He also held several field and vice president-level positions at Fred Meyer.

In his new post Hertz is charged with leading A&P’s field operations team.

"An important part of our turnaround is building a dynamic executive management team with the skills and expertise necessary to lead our company to excellence," Haub says. "With his high-level skill set and vast experience, Paul not only believes excellence can be achieved, but he is also able to illuminate the path to it."