As part of the deal, the agency insisted that he be made chairman and chief executive.

He left the company two years later after he was told he would have to wait 30-40 years to make chief executive.

He rejoined the company in 1976, when Mr. Ziegler was made president and chief executive.

But Brick, who joined the group in late 2008 before being made chief executive a few months later, is making inroads.

In 1983 he was made chairman and chief executive.

Skinner joined the company as a trainee store manager 40 years ago and was made chief executive in 2004.

He was made chief executive in 1960 and was chairman from 1964 until he retired in 1968.

The company plans to announce Tuesday that Gary Shenk, the president, is being made chief executive as well.

Empire in effect hired its outside consultant and financial adviser and made him chief executive.

Mr. Foley was made chief executive in the months leading up to the stock offering, which was canceled on June 18.