Brookshire Brothers has announced four executive promotions, elevating longtime company veterans into senior leadership roles across operations, finance, accounting and legal.
Clay Oliver moves from CFO to COO. Jessica Brown steps up from VP of accounting and treasury to CFO. Stephanie Cole is promoted to VP of accounting, and Jeff Bates advances from corporate counsel to general counsel.
Clay Oliver, COO
Oliver joined Brookshire Brothers in 2004 as a staff accountant and has served as CFO since 2011 and as a board of directors member since 2012. In the CFO role, he oversaw accounting, treasury, budgeting, strategic planning, asset management, mergers and acquisitions and information technology.
John Alston, president and CEO of Brookshire Brothers, said Oliver’s two decades of financial stewardship position him well for an operational mandate.
“Clay’s operational insight, steady leadership and deep understanding of our company make him the right person to help lead Brookshire Brothers into its next chapter. He is a respected leader who exemplifies our culture and knows the importance of supporting our employee-owners,” Alston said.
Oliver holds a finance degree, an MBA in management and a master’s degree in data analytics, both from Texas A&M Mays Business School and Stephen F. Austin State University. He is a former police officer and remains active in civic organizations across East Texas.
Jessica Brown, CFO
Brown has spent her career advancing through Brookshire Brothers’ finance function, holding roles including staff accountant, financial analyst, general ledger manager, assistant controller, controller and most recently VP of accounting and treasury. She has guided financial strategy, acquisitions and refinancing initiatives across the organization.
“Jessica’s thoughtful leadership style and commitment to excellence has shaped her practical and strategic approach to financial management, making her exceptionally well prepared to serve as CFO,” Alston said.
Brown earned her accounting degree from Louisiana State University–Shreveport and her master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Stephanie Cole, VP of Accounting
Cole’s story at Brookshire Brothers spans more than two decades. She began as a teenage cashier in 2004, worked in store operations and joined the accounting department in 2010. She most recently served as assistant controller, overseeing daily accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting.
Alston pointed to Cole’s trajectory as emblematic of how the employee-owned company approaches internal development.
“Stephanie’s story is a powerful example of the career growth opportunities available within Brookshire Brothers. We believe in growing our people, which in turn creates a deep-rooted culture of ownership, accountability and pride in the work we do every day,” he said.
Cole holds multiple degrees from the Texas A&M Mays Business School and has been a licensed CPA since 2017.
Jeff Bates, General Counsel
Bates has served as corporate counsel for the past two years, overseeing contract negotiation, litigation management, regulatory reporting, intellectual property, food safety and compliance programs and the company’s internal legal team. He also serves as corporate secretary for Brookshire Brothers Inc., Brookshire Brothers Holding Company and the Brookshire Brothers Charitable Foundation.
“Jeff’s depth of legal experience and steady counsel make him an invaluable member of our leadership team. He understands our values and helps protect the integrity of the company we’ve built,” Alston said.
Bates earned his BBA and juris doctor from Baylor University and Baylor Law School.
Alston framed the collective promotions as a reflection of the company’s long-term people strategy.
“Strong companies are built by strong people. Clay, Jessica, Stephanie and Jeff each represent the core values that define Brookshire Brothers – quality, growth, community, passion and friendliness that feels like home. I’m confident they will continue to make a meaningful impact as we serve our customers and communities,” he said.
Established in 1921 and headquartered in Lufkin, Texas, Brookshire Brothers operates nearly 120 retail locations across Texas and western Louisiana, offering grocery, pharmacy, fuel, tobacco, coffee and event venue services. The company is 100 percent employee-owned.
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