Craig Sturken to Retire as SpartanNash Chairman

Craig Sturken, a 50-year grocery veteran, will retire as the chairman of the board for Grand Rapids, Mich.-based SpartanNash, at the end of his term in June. He has held the position since the merger of Spartan Stores and Nash-Finch Co. in 2013.

Prior to that, Sturken served as the chairman of the board for Spartan since 2003 as well as CEO from March 2003 to 2008 and president from 2003 until 2007.

“Throughout his combined tenure, Craig oversaw a period of tremendous growth,” said Dennis Eidson, who succeeded Sturken as president and CEO of SpartanNash. Eidson also was nominated to succeed Sturken as chairman of the board; he is expected to be elected following the annual meeting on June 2.

During Sturken’s tenure at SpartanNash, he oversaw a company that grew to become the fifth largest food distributor in the nation with revenues that increased from $2.1 billion to $7.7 billion.

“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. 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.”