GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Dennis Eidson, president and CEO of SpartanNash Co., has announced that the company has promoted two executive vice presidents to key positions. It has appointed Dave Staples, current executive vice president and CFO, as chief operating officer, and Derek Jones, executive vice president of food distribution, has been promoted to president of wholesale and distribution operations.
Both appointments are effective March 1, 2015.
As COO, Staples will oversee all three operating segments of the company: retail, wholesale and military distribution. His appointment will enable Eidson to focus more of his time on the company's long-term strategic plans and potential growth opportunities.
The company has initiated recruiting efforts for a CFO; Staples will continue to serve as CFO until SpartanNash hires a replacement.
"This appointment is part of our robust three-year integration plan," said Eidson. "The size and scope of SpartanNash today demands a dedicated chief operating officer."
As CFO, Staples helped guide the company from $1.98 billion in 2003 to $7.9 billion in 2014. "Dave's leadership was critical to our 'game-changing' merger of Spartan Stores and The Nash Finch Co. in November of 2013. He also has been an instrumental and respected member of our executive team, helping to define our strategic direction, drive our customer-centric business model and cultivate strong customer relationships," Eidson said.
Staples joined SpartanNash in January 2000, serving as executive vice president and CFO since November 2000. In this capacity, Staples directed finance, real estate, the treasurer's department, internal audit, risk management and information technology. Prior to joining SpartanNash, Staples held positions with Kmart and Arthur Andersen.
Jones will report to Staples and oversee the entire supply chain, including military supply-chain operations.
"This streamlined approach," said Eidson, "is critical to our mission to leverage our expertise in food distribution and retail to develop, activate and provide impactful solutions that exceed expectations for associates, customers and partners. Derek's extensive experience and expertise in food distribution will result in increased efficiencies and a 'one way' operation with his leadership."
As executive vice president of food distribution, Jones has cultivated and strengthened relationships with the company's independent customers operating 2,100 locations. He has also driven growth as a value-added distributor while directing the operations of SpartanNash's wholesale and supply chain operations, including warehousing, transportation, new business development, replenishment and customer service. In his expanded role, Jones will now oversee the military operations supply chain.
Jones joined the company in 2006 from Unisource Worldwide Inc. He has also held senior operations management positions with Office Depot, Walgreen's and Wal-Mart.
The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based company's core businesses include distributing food to military commissaries and exchanges and independent and corporate-owned retail stores located in 44 states and the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Azores, Bahrain and Egypt. SpartanNash currently operates 162 supermarkets primarily under the banners of Family Fare Supermarkets, No Frills, Bag 'n Save and Econofoods. It also operates Family Fare Quick Stop, Glen's Quick Stop, D&W Fresh Market Quick Stop and VG's Quick Stop convenience stores and gas stations.
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