MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu Inc. has appointed J. Andrew Herring as executive vice president of market and real estate development.

Supervalu Inc. has appointed J. Andrew Herring as executive vice president of market and real estate development.

The supermarket retailer and wholesaler said that Herring is slated to start in the new post June 6. He will report directly to Craig Herkert, Supervalu chief executive officer and president.

Most recently, Herring, 51, served as senior vice president of real estate and store development. In his new role he will be responsible for driving Supervalu’s major growth initiatives, including store development for the company’s traditional retail and Save-A-Lot stores and for its independent retailers.

"Driving growth is a critical element of our strategy, and I’m excited to have Andy lead this effort and join my executive team," said Herkert. "Andy has a broad range of experience with the company beyond real estate and has played key roles in many of our largest acquisitions. He has been a great asset to us for 12 years and will be invaluable as we continue our focus on being America’s Neighborhood Grocer."

In February 1998 Herring joined Supervalu as vice president of corporate development and external relations and was promoted to senior vice president in 1999. He was responsible for mergers and acquisitions, corporate communications, industry and government relations, and the company’s corporate foundation. In 2002 he was appointed executive vice president of Supervalu Retail Pharmacies and was responsible for the company’s in-store pharmacy operations.

Starting in late 2005 and during 2006, Herring played a leading role in the acquisition of certain assets of Albertsons and worked in the Supervalu Enterprise Office on post-merger integration matters related to the acquisition.

Supervalu currently has a network of about 4,290 supermarkets, including 1,160 traditional stores (840 with in-store pharmacies), 1,190 Save-A-Lot hard-discount stores (855 of which are operated by licensee owners) and 1,940 independent stores.