H-E-B has promoted COO Roxanne Orsak to president, effective in January, succeeding Craig Boyan, who plans to retire at the end of 2026 after 20 years at the helm.
Orsak will be the first woman to serve as president of H-E-B, which was founded 120 years ago by Florence Butt, a pioneering female entrepreneur. She will report to CEO Howard Butt III.
Boyan will transition to a senior advisor role, remaining a member of the board of directors and joining the company’s board oversight and advisory committee.
“We are grateful for Craig’s consequential leadership that leaves a lasting impact on our company and culture,” Butt said.
“Craig has guided significant and continuous company growth while strengthening the people-based values that are so important to H-E-B. His commitment to innovation, collaboration and focus on people has positioned us strongly for the future.
“Roxanne is the natural choice to serve as H-E-B’s next president. She has a deep understanding of our business, which she honed from a broad range of leadership roles at H-E-B during her 37-year tenure.
“Roxanne leads by example, embodies our culture, and recognizes the unique contributions of each partner.”
Orsak began her career at the company in 1988 as a store management trainee and rose through the ranks of store operations, merchandising, procurement and format design, among others.
She has held leadership positions in nearly every area of H-E-B’s business before being named COO in 2022.
Orsak has embraced innovation and change, enabling her to make contributions that advanced the company’s mission and growth, including the launch of the H-E-B Plus! store format in 2004 and the Joe V’s Smart Shop store format in 2010.
“Throughout my time at H-E-B, our amazing partners and leaders have inspired me to be my very best,” Orsak said.
“At H-E-B, we are more than just a grocery store. We are committed to showing up for each other and working hard so we can run a business that improves the lives of our partners, customers and communities. I am honored to continue to shape the future of this great company with integrity, heart and a relentless pursuit of excellence.”
Orsak added, “I would like to thank Craig for the indelible mark he made on our company. One of the hallmarks of his leadership style is that he is passionate about developing others to be the best versions of themselves. H-E-B owes much of our success over the years to his efforts.”
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Boyan joined H-E-B in 2005 as chief strategic officer after serving as an advisor to the company for two years. He was appointed president in 2010. During his time at the company, H-E-B has achieved significant growth, increasing annual sales from $10 billion to $50 billion and developing one of the leading multi-format retailers in the country.
H-E-B also has made investments in its employees, customers and culture, as well as in price, e-commerce and its supply chain to strengthen the company. Boyan also led H-E-B through many disasters, storms and unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ve always said that retail is a team sport, and at H-E-B, I’ve been lucky enough to work with the best in the business,” Boyan said.
“I am so grateful to Charles Butt for inviting me to join the H-E-B family 20 years ago and it’s been my great honor to work with our impressive leadership team and Charles, Howard, Stephen and Jeffrey Butt in leading this wonderful company … I know that Roxanne will take H-E-B to new heights, and I look forward to working with her and our team in continuing to advance our company.”
Boyan will remain chairman of FMI – The Food Industry Association. He also serves as chairman of the board of trustees for Texas Biomedical Research Institute, chairman of the board for Junior Achievement of South Texas, and as a member of the executive committee of Greater:SATX, the San Antonio economic development organization.
“This transition comes at an exciting time for H-E-B as we celebrate 120 years of serving Texans,” said H-E-B Chairman Charles Butt.
“Under Craig’s leadership, our company has truly thrived – he has strengthened H-E-B and our team, and driven improvements across every area of our business. I am deeply grateful to Craig for his commitment to help make H-E-B such an admired company, one that is constantly evolving in the competitive retail marketplace, with a deep commitment to improving the well-being of our Partners and our communities.
“I am proud of Craig’s leadership and the far-reaching impact he has had on our company, and I am pleased we will have his support and guidance going forward.
“Roxanne has a strategic mindset, deep understanding of our business, and commitment to our Partners and customers, and I look forward to seeing her take on this new role. She has built her entire career at our company and is the right leader to take us into our next era.”