Perdue Premium Meat Co. has named a new executive.

As vice president of retail innovations, Luke LaPerriere will support company brands Niman Ranch, Coleman Natural and Panorama Grassfed Beef with outreach, merchandising, consumer acquisition and case ready programs to reach a larger nationwide audience.

LaPerriere is a former executive of Harris Teeter/Kroger, Stop and Shop/Ahold and Shaw’s Supermarket, serving as the vice president of meat and seafood merchandising since 2000. He brings over 40 years of experience in retail, grocery, operations and procurement.

“With innovative and successful leaders like Luke, we stay true to consumer demand and expand our mission-driven support of domestic family farmers and ranchers, their land and the humane treatment of animals. Luke brings a spirit of developing collaborative working relationships between meat brands and outstanding retail partners,” says Jeff Tripician, Perdue’s president.  “Luke has led some of the most progressive grocery store meat departments in the country. As we continue to grow our ability to make positive change in the industry, we need Luke’s help to translate this successfully to other leading grocers that want to attract and retain a superior, long term consumer who demands products that fit their lifestyle today.”