Hy-vee, the employee-owned Midwestern supermarket chain, has named Aaron Wiese (pictured above) its next CEO. He will succeed Randy Edeker on October 1, reports Supermarket News.
Wiese, Hy-vee's current vice chairman and president of the retailer's supply chain and subsidiaries, was named to that role in December, 2021. Jeremy Gosch, who was also elevated to his current COO and president position in December, will continue to oversee retail operations. Wiese and Gosch will continue to report to Edeker, who will remain chairman of the board of directors.
“Both Aaron and Jeremy have been trusted leaders of our executive team for many years, and I am thankful for the leadership they continue to provide our great company,” Edeker said. “With this announcement, I can continue to focus on Hy-Vee’s strategy and evolution in today’s changing environment, while Jeremy can focus on overseeing our stores and Aaron can focus on the day-to-day operations of the overall company.”
After joining the supermarket’s executive staff as director of real estate strategic planning in 2012, Wiese quickly transitioned to the director of health and wellness strategic planning, only to be promoted once again in 2014 to the role of assistant VP of business development at a subsidiary company. In 2020 he became the president of digital growth, then a co-COO in April 2021.
“Aaron is ready to help me lead the company as chief executive officer,” Edeker commented. “He has a strong vision for the total breadth of our company and is extremely knowledgeable in many areas. With Aaron as CEO, Hy-Vee continues to be positioned for incredible growth and innovation.”
Edeker has held the CEO and chairman position since June 2012 and worked at the business for over 40 years, starting as a part-time employee. Full Story
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