Keurig, Kraft veteran joins Fred’s board of directors

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Pharmacy appointed Linda Longo-Kazanova to its board of directors, effective immediately. In connection with the announcement, Steven R. Fitzpatrick will retire from the board and not stand for reelection at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

According to Fred’s, Thursday’s announcement is part of the board’s ongoing reconstitution process, with the assistance of Spencer Stuart, an executive search firm, to add world-class, highly-qualified and experienced directors to the Board.

Longo-Kazanova brings to the board 16 years of experience as chief human resources officer with growing companies and businesses-in-transition, as well as significant expertise working with public company boards of directors on a variety of matters, including significant merger and acquisition and divestiture transactions. Most recently, she was chief human resources officer at Keurig Green Mountain, where she was responsible for all aspects of global human resources. While at Keurig, she contributed to the company’s growth from $1.3 billion to $4.5 billion in revenue, supporting transformation in the board, management team and culture as the business expanded. Prior to working at Keurig, Longo-Kazanova served as VP, human resources and medical at Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and in a number of positions at Kraft Foods, including global director, management and organization development.

“Linda is an accomplished executive and we are excited to add her to the board as part of our ongoing reconstitution process,” said Thomas H. Tashjian, chairman of the board. “Fred’s will benefit from her significant HR and integration leadership experience specifically related to talent acquisition and development, compensation and benefits, culture and workplace environment, and employee communications and development, including during complex M&A situations. Linda’s appointment increases the Board’s independence and bolsters its expertise and oversight as we continue executing our transformation and strategic plan. This announcement also follows the recent appointments of Chris Bodine and Pete Bocian who, together with Linda, will provide the board with decades of public company director and executive leadership experiences across the consumer, retail, pharmaceutical and technology industries.”

“I am delighted to join the Fred’s Pharmacy board of directors,” said Longo-Kazanova. “This is an exciting time for the company as it continues executing its plan to improve performance. I look forward to begin working with the rest of the board and management team and contributing immediately as we build on the momentum and progress underway.”