Whole Foods Adds Nordstrom Pres. to Board of Directors

Whole Foods Market has added Blake W. Nordstrom to its board of directors, increasing the size of the board to 12 members. He will serve on the audit committee.

Nordstrom has been president of Nordstrom, Inc. – a fashion specialty retailer, with 214 stores in 29 states -- since 2000 and has served as a member of the company's board of directors since 2005. As president, Nordstrom has worked with the executive team to sharpen the company's focus on the customer while enhancing the shopping experience across all channels of the business.

"[Nordstrom will bring greast] business experience and customer perspective to our board," said Walter Robb, co-CEO for Whole Foods.

Dr. Ralph Sorenson, chairman of the nominating and governance committee for the Whole Foods board added: "The entire board has great respect for the Nordstrom company. The success of its business culture is something to admire, and Blake will be a terrific addition to Whole Foods board."

Nordstrom began his career working in the stockroom of the downtown Seattle store in the 1970s, and from there, worked his way through school selling shoes. He went on to hold various positions with the company including store, buying and regional management. He was named a co-president of the company in 1995 and became president of Nordstrom Rack in 2000 before receiving his current assignment later that year.

Nordstrom has been a member of the board of directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco since 2007, for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's Seattle Branch from 2004 to 2006, and he has served on the board of directors for the Downtown Seattle Association since 1992.

Nordstrom was elected by the Whole Foods board of directors to serve until the company's annual meeting in March 2012, at which time he will be included on the shareholder ballot.