PLEASANTON, Calif., Oct. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) today announced that Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Russ Jackson, has been named by Human Resource Executive magazine to the influential 2012 HR Honor Roll. Mr. Jackson will be recognized by the publication on October 9, 2012 at a black tie awards dinner at the University Club of Chicago.
Human Resource Executive selected Mr. Jackson and four other exceptional human resources professionals to recognize and feature in the October issue. Each was chosen for their mastery of the profession, problem-solving skills, positive impact on their organization and contributions to the profession at large.
"Russ is a transformational architect within Safeway," said Safeway Executive Vice President, Larree Renda. "With his vision, insight and drive for results, he has built a human resources organization that is a powerful accelerator of change."
Among his considerable accomplishments at Safeway, Mr. Jackson has been instrumental in strengthening the company's leadership development efforts. For example, in 2011 the company launched a program which provides high-potential and high-performing directors and district managers with vice president-level experiences and instruction. As other key accomplishments, Human Resource Executive noted that Mr. Jackson "implemented a series of new programs aimed at recruiting ex-military personnel for key roles; reshaped the organization's competency model; and enhanced the organization's already highly regarded health initiatives."
Elevating the company's efforts to support veterans, Mr. Jackson and his team launched an initiative aimed at recruiting and developing former junior military officers for retail store management positions. Since the program launched in 2010, Safeway has raised the bar on military hiring each year. The company surpassed its goal of hiring more than 1,000 ex-military personnel by the end of 2012.
Mr. Jackson and his Benefits team have also made significant strides in the area of employee health and wellness. Employees at all levels are encouraged to participate in a range of programs from biometric testing to other wellness initiatives designed to help employees and their families make healthier choices.
Mr. Jackson joined Safeway in 2007 after a 27-year career with Pacific Gas & Electric, where he served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources. He holds a Business degree from San Jose State University. Mr. Jackson earned his MBA from St. Mary's College and a Master's degree in Human Resources and Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco, along with a certificate in Human Resources Management from the University of California at Berkeley. He has also achieved the designation of SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) from the Human Resources Certification Institute.
The full text of the Human Resource Executive article on Mr. Jackson can be found at http://www.humanresourceexecutive-digital.com/humanresourceexecutive/201210#pg22.
About Safeway
Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,666 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $43.6 billion in 2011. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SWY."
Contact: Teena Massingill, 925-467-3810, Teena.Massingill@Safeway.com
SOURCE Safeway Inc.