Spartan’s Sturken Retires as Exec Chairman

Craig Sturken, executive chairman of Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spartan Stores Inc. will retire from his position as executive chairman, although he will remain chairman of the board of directors and a close adviser to the company.

Sturken joined Spartan in March 2003 as president and CEO and was elected chairman of the board in August of that year. In 2008, Dennis Eidson succeeded Sturken, who remained as executive chairman.

“While the board and I agreed that stepping back from my executive responsibilities is the appropriate next step in our executive leadership transition process, I intend to remain an active and constructive leader of the board,” noted Sturken.

Added Eidson: “We appreciate the many contributions that Craig has made to our company while serving as an executive employee. During his association with the company, Spartan has experienced tremendous store-base growth through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. Along the way, Craig has provided us with important perspective in the supermarket industry and solid business advice, and we look forward to his continued guidance.”

Spartan’s board comprises 10 directors, eight of whom will be independent.

The nation’s 11th-largest grocery distributor, with 1.4 million square feet of warehouse, distribution, Spartan distributes more than 40,000 corporate and national brand products to about 370 independent grocery stores in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, as well as to 97 corporate-owned stores in Michigan, including Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen’s Markets, D&W Fresh Markets and VG’s Food and Pharmacy.