Stater Bros. Markets President and COO Greg McNiff has been appointed CEO and president of the company while current CEO and Chairman of the Board Pete Van Helden will remain in the role of executive chairman of the board of directors.
Both appointments will be effective on Sept. 29. All functional areas of the company will report to McNiff.
“I’ve worked with Greg for many years, and due to his industry knowledge and fit in Stater Bros.’s culture I can’t think of a better leader for the company’s day-to-day operations into the future,” Van Helden said.
“While I’ll be stepping back from the company’s everyday operations, I’ll maintain an active role in the company as executive chairman while Greg continues to build on the strong foundation that we helped establish together.”
McNiff is a 44-year veteran of the supermarket industry who has spent 33 years of his grocery career in Southern California. He began in 1981 as a courtesy clerk at Albertsons. While there, he served in a variety of leadership roles encompassing a wide range of operational responsibilities, including integration, marketing and merchandising. In 2016, he advanced to division president of Albertson’s Portland Division.
In 2019, McNiff joined Stater Bros. as its president, and in 2022, added the role of COO to his duties. In this role, McNiff has led the company’s marketing, retail and distribution functions on a path toward improved efficiency by enhancing their integration and emphasizing collaboration.
McNiff holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from California Coast University and is a graduate of the USC Food Industry Executive Program. He is a past president of the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) and serves on its executive board. In addition, McNiff was the 2019 recipient of The Illuminators Torch Award for his support of advancing education in the food industry and serves as president of the Food Industry Circle for City of Hope.
Van Helden joined Stater Bros. Markets as president and COO in 2013. In 2016, he was appointed to the position of CEO by Stater Bros.’ late Executive Chairman Jack H. Brown. In 2022, Van Helden was elevated to chairman of the board. He will continue as CEO of Stater Bros. Charities, the company’s philanthropic arm.
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