Giant Eagle, the region's dominant grocer, announced this morning a shift in top management to the next generation.

Laura Shapira Karet, 42, has been named CEO, effective Jan. 9, succeeding her father, David Shapira, who has been CEO since 1980 and will now serve as executive chairman of the privately owned O'Hara company's board.

In addition, John Lucot, 54, will become president as well as keep his title of chief operating officer.

Ms. Karet, who worked at Procter & Gamble as well as at Sara Lee, came into the business in 2000 as vice president of marketing. Her most recent position has been senior executive vice president and chief strategy officer, responsible for setting direction for Giant Eagle's corporate priorities and innovations, according to the official announcement this morning.

Mr. Lucot started as a supermarket clerk for Giant Eagle in 1974 and has worked in distribution, real estate and operations.

Giant Eagle, founded in 1931 by a group of five families, reports $9.3 billion in annual sales. It has 170 corporate and 58 independently operated stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland, as well as 166 GetGo convenience stores.

First Published: November 16, 2011, 2:00 p.m.