Stater Bros. Names New CEO

There will be a change at the top of Stater Bros. Markets, as Greg McNiff has been named chief executive officer and president. He currently serves as the grocer’s president and chief operating officer.

McNiff will replace the current CEO and board chairman, Pete Van Helden, who will remain with the company as its executive chairman of the board. Both appointments will be effective Sept. 29.

McNiff is a 44-year veteran of the supermarket industry who has spent 33 years of his grocery career in Southern California. He began in 1981 as a courtesy clerk at Albertsons and served in a variety of leadership roles encompassing a wide range of responsibilities during his tenure, including integration, marketing, and merchandising. His most recent roles at Albertsons included president of the Portland Division and senior vice president of marketing and merchandising.

In 2019, McNiff joined Stater Bros. as its president and was promoted to COO in 2022. As COO, McNiff has led the company’s marketing, retail, and distribution functions.

Van Helden joined Stater Bros. Markets as president and COO in 2013. In 2016, he was appointed to the position of CEO by Stater Bros.’ late executive chairman Jack H. Brown. Van Helden was elevated to chairman of the board in 2022. He will continue as CEO of Stater Bros. Charities, the company’s philanthropic arm.

“I’ve worked with Greg for many years, and due to his industry knowledge and fit in Stater Bros.’ culture, I can’t think of a better leader for the company’s day-to-day operations into the future,” said Van Helden. “While I’ll be stepping back from the company’s everyday operations, I’ll maintain an active role in the company as executive chairman while Greg continues to build on the strong foundation that we helped establish together.”

Editor's Note: This story first appeared on Store Brands' sister publication, Chain Store Age.