After more than 47 years of service to Stater Bros. Markets, President George Frahm, 66, has announced his plans to retire on Oct. 31. Food industry veteran Greg McNiff has been named to succeed him.
“I have been blessed to work at Stater Bros. for my entire career and have had the opportunity to advance from entry-level positions to company president,” Frahm said. “I look forward to spending more time with my wife Debbi and traveling.”
McNiff’s grocery career spans 38 years, working 27 years in the Southern California marketplace. His grocery career began in 1981 as a courtesy clerk at a former Albertsons location in Cypress, California. He worked his way up to several leadership and executive management roles across the organization before being named president of the company’s Portland Division, his most recent role.
“I have had the privilege of knowing George for many years through our affiliation in various food industry organizations and events,” said McNiff. “I have tremendous respect for George and his leadership style, and realize I have some huge shoes to fill. I look forward to joining the Stater Bros. ‘Family’ and returning back to Southern California.”
McNiff, who will report directly to Stater Bros. CEO Pete Van Helden, will join Stater Bros. Sept. 3 and work closely with Frahm before assuming his new role on Nov. 1.
“Greg is well-respected across the entire food industry, and I look forward to welcoming him into our Stater Bros. ‘Family’,” Van Helden noted.
McNiff holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from California Coast University and is a graduate of the USC Food Industry Executive Program.
“With Pete and Greg at the helm, the company’s future is bright, and I’m certain Stater Bros. will continue to be a grocery leader in the local marketplace,” Frahm said.
Frahm’s career path
Frahm’s extensive career with Stater Bros. Markets began in 1973 at the company’s Glendora location as a clerk’s helper and janitor. He progressed through a range of store-level, retail supervision and executive management roles—including VP of labor relations, EVP of retail operations/administration and EVP-administration/distribution—before being named president.
Van Helden said, “I appreciate George’s support throughout the course of our years working together. He has been a trusted advisor and will be missed.”
Stater Bros. Chairman Phil Smith remarked, “I’m so grateful for George’s contributions to our company’s success. He is known as a skilled executive who is praised for his integrity and exceptional leadership. Throughout the course of his entire career with Stater Bros., George has relentlessly championed to advance the best interests of our Company and our people. The entire Stater Bros. ‘Family’ of Employees and I wish him the very best in his retirement.
“We’re also excited for Greg to join us,” Smith added. “His proven food industry leadership and experience in our local marketplace make him a great fit for our company. I am confident that he will do an outstanding job as our president.”
Stater Bros. was founded in 1936 in Yucaipa, California, and has grown steadily through the years to become the largest privately-owned supermarket chain in Southern California and the largest private employer in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The company operates 172 supermarkets, and there are approximately 17,000 team members.
