SpartanNash Chairman Craig Sturken to retire

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based SpartanNash said that Craig Sturken will conclude his service as a member of the SpartanNash board of directors at the expiration of his current term. Sturken has served as chairman and a member of the SpartanNash board since November 2013, when Spartan Stores merged with Nash-Finch Co. to form SpartanNash. Prior to the merger, Sturken served as chairman of the Spartan Stores board of directors since 2003.

Sturken served as CEO of Spartan Stores from March 2003 to October 2008 and as president of Spartan Stores from March 2003 to October 2007. He spent his entire career in the grocery industry and has more than 50 years of retail grocery experience, SpartanNash said.

"Throughout his combined tenure, Craig oversaw a period of tremendous growth," notes Dennis Eidson, president and CEO, SpartanNash. "Craig's leadership helped transform the company from a financially struggling Michigan-based publicly traded company to become the fifth-largest food distributor in the nation.

"From 2003 when Craig joined the company through 2015, revenues increased from $2.1 billion to $7.7 billion, and market capitalization increased from $50 million to over one-billion dollars," he added.

Timothy O'Donovan, the company's lead independent director, has served with Sturken since both joined the board in 2003.

"Craig's collaborative leadership, industry knowledge and love for mentoring and continuous improvement were integral to the company's growth and ability to successfully merge and integrate two multi-billion dollar publicly-traded companies," O'Donovan said. "He brings the best out in all of us, and it has been an honor to serve with him."

The SpartanNash board of directors nominated Eidson to succeed Sturken as chairman. It is anticipated that Eidson will be elected as chairman following the annual meeting on June 2.

"It has been a privilege to be a part of SpartanNash's growth and transformation and certainly a highlight of my career," Sturken said. "I have been fortunate to work with an exceptional board and executive team, and I am now looking forward to traveling and spending more time with my family. This decision has been made much easier, knowing I am turning over the helm to Dennis, a man I have worked side by side with for nearly 20 years."