Big Y appoints six new leaders
Big Y Foods Inc. announced six new appointments: John P. Fraro as senior director of fresh foods, Devyn Blais as vice president of finance, Iliana Del Valle-Colon as director of deli, bakery & kitchen, David J. Argento as director of pharmacy, James T. Billingsley as director of accounting and Amanda M. Pereira as director of treasury.
“It’s always gratifying to see dedicated and talented individuals grow within our company," said Michael P. D’Amour, Big Y president and CEO. "I’m confident that through their collaboration, we will continue to innovate and excel in serving our communities.”
Fraro will be responsible for all aspects of Big Y’s fresh departments, including meat, seafood, bakery, deli, kitchen, produce and floral. He reports to Michael R. Cormier, senior vice president of sales and marketing. Fraro started at Big Y in 2005 as an assistant food service/kitchen manager after having held positions in meat, bakery and deli for two other retailers for the prior five years. In 2006, he was appointed sous chef at Big Y’s Fresh Acres Market and later in 2008 as their meal solutions manager. In 2009, he then became the company’s junior deli buyer followed by bakery sales manager. From 2014 to 2017, he was deli sales manager, then produce sales manager until his 2017 appointment as director of deli, bakery and kitchen. He and his partner, Michael, live in Somers, CT.
Blais will provide strategic leadership, planning and direction for all financial management activities, including accounting and financial reporting, cash management and financial services and financial planning and analysis. She reports to Theresa A. Jasmin, senior vice president/CFO. Blais has over 18 years of experience within Big Y’s finance and accounting departments. A resident of Ludlow, MA, she and her husband, Jeffrey Webb, have one child.
Argento will be responsible for setting overall direction and goals for the pharmacy division, and the development and execution of programs, promotions, services and operational excellence for Big Y’s 33 in-store pharmacies. He will report to Nicole D’Amour Schneider, senior vice president of retail operations and customer experience. A resident of Guilford, CT, he and his wife, Erin, have three children.
Billingsley will provide leadership, planning and direction for corporate accounting, inventory and financial reporting, ensuring that Big Y’s financial statements are compliant with evolving technical accounting requirements. He reports to Devyn Blais, vice president of finance. He resides in Wilbraham, MA, with his wife, Brittany, and two children.
Del Valle-Colon has been promoted to director of deli, bakery and kitchen. In her new role, she will be responsible for all sales, marketing and merchandising for these departments. She began her retail career as a greeter at New York & Co in 1999 where she held several positions including cashier, co-manager and store manager until she joined Stop & Shop in 2002. There, she worked in various capacities including customer service manager/ assistant manager, perishable and non-perishable managers, division sales analyst, center store and general merchandise specialist and store manager. She joined Big Y in 2017 as a reserve store director followed by corporate deli sales manager and later corporate seafood sales manager. She reports to John P. Fraro, senior director of fresh foods. She and her husband, Michael Colon Sr., reside in Somers, CT.
Pereira joined Big Y in 2014 after several years in public accounting. At Big Y, she started as a manager of accounts payable and fixed assets. She then went on to accounts payable and accounts receivable manager, treasury manager, and senior treasury manager until her current appointment. In her new role, she will provide leadership, planning and direction for accounts payable and receivable, fixed assets, store accounting and financial services across all areas of the company. She and her husband, Michael, reside in East Longmeadow, MA.
Photos (clockwise from upper left): John P. Fraro, Devyn Blais, David J. Argento, Amanda M. Pereira, Iliana Del Valle-Colon and James T. Billingsley.
