Eidson named president, CEO of Spartan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Spartan Stores on Friday named Dennis Eidson as the company’s president and chief operating officer effective Oct. 22, from his role as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Eidson was also named to the board.

Eidson will continue to report directly to Craig Sturken, who continues his responsibilities as chairman and chief executive officer. Eidson will lead the company’s overall strategy implementation and execution, and direct all operating aspects of both the retail and distribution business segments.

“Our steady business expansion and continuing organizational growth during the past four years necessitated the change in our organizational structure and expansion of our board,” Sturken stated. “We are extremely pleased to appoint Dennis to this position because of his exceptional leadership skills, collaborative management style and profound understanding of the grocery industry. Dennis has been instrumental in developing and implementing many of the critical marketing, merchandising and category management practices that initially stabilized our business and have since led to a consistent record of revenue and earnings growth. In addition, these practices have enabled us to gain market share during a challenging economic climate and period of unprecedented competition in the grocery industry. Dennis has also played a key role in helping to turn Spartan Stores’ corporate culture into a highly motivated and performance driven organization.

“Moreover, the changes will allow me to focus more effort on the most important long-term strategic growth aspects of our business plan and less on the daily operational execution,” Sturken said.

 Under the new organizational structure, Derek Jones, executive vice president, supply chain will report to Eidson, while Tom Berg, vice president, business development will report directly to Jones.

Both positions previously reported directly to Sturken.

Eidson’s current direct reports include Ted Adornato, executive vice president, retail operations; Alan Hartline, senior vice president, merchandising; Ken Thewes, vice president, marketing; and Tom Montgomery, manager, retail services.

Dennis Eidson originally joined Spartan Stores in 2003 as executive vice president of marketing and merchandising.