The Save Mart Companies, a Modesto, California-based company, has appointed industry veteran Robert “Bob” G. Miller to its board of directors.
“Bob’s expertise and passion for the grocery industry is legendary along with his unparalleled track record of being a growth-focused leader,” said Shane Sampson, executive chairman of the board, The Save Mart Companies.
“For decades, Bob has built great companies by always being people and community focused as well as mentoring countless individuals including myself, and I am excited to once again collaborate with him and further advance the company’s success together.”
The industry luminary began his career at 16 years old as a bottle sorter at his local Albertsons store and quickly moved to courtesy clerk, department manager and ultimately store manager. In 1979, he became an executive trainee and continued his career trajectory to become EVP in nine years.
Miller left Albertsons for Fred Meyer where he was CEO from 1991-99 and merged the company with Kroger, where he served as vice chairman and COO. He was the chairman and CEO at Rite Aid from 1999-03 and the non-executive chairman at Wild Oats.
In 2006, Miller returned to Albertsons, growing the company from a strong regional chain of a few hundred stores to more than 2,300 stores in 30 states through acquisitions and mergers with Supervalu and Safeway, serving as CEO, board chairman and most recently chairman emeritus. He was appointed non-executive chairman of Supervalu Inc. from 2013-14.
Miller has numerous accolades and awards recognizing his dedication to serving customers and improving people’s lives. Highlights include an honorary doctorate degree from Portland State University in 1998, the Horatio Alger Award in 2012, the first Boise State Champion of Commerce Award in 2014, and The Shelby Report’s Food Industry Hall of Fame in 2018. To view Miller’s special section, click here.
“I am incredibly grateful and honored to join The Save Mart Companies’ Board of Directors at a time when there is so much opportunity in the grocery industry for growth,” Miller said. “This company and its people exemplify the hard-working and passionate spirit of running great stores and serving their communities.”
