Peter Van Helden will become president and COO of Stater Bros. Markets when Jim Lee retires as of June 1.
Van Helden is a 36-year veteran of the supermarket industry. Prior to joining Stater Bros., he was EVP of retail operations for Supervalu.
Van Helden began his career in 1977, working for Rosauers in Libby, Mont., as a courtesy clerk. In 1978, he relocated to Bozeman, Mont., where he joined Albertsons as a clerk. Van Helden joined Supervalu through the company’s 2006 acquisition of Albertsons, where he was president and CEO of Albertsons’ California Food Division. During his 35-year tenure at Albertsons, he held a variety of leadership positions including operations, merger integration and dual branding. As president and CEO of Albertsons’ California Food Division, he oversaw a business unit comprised of more than 500 stores and 41,000 associates. Prior to this position, he was president of the company’s Jewel-Osco Division.
Van Helden holds a bachelor’s of science degree from University of Phoenix.
“Pete is a well respected and long-time food industry executive,” said Jack H. Brown, chairman of the board and CEO of San Bernardino, Calif.-based Stater Bros. Markets. “I am confident that he will do an outstanding job as president and chief operating officer and will be valuable to the future growth of Stater Bros.”
Van Helden and his family have purchased a home in the county of San Bernardino.
Stater Bros. is the largest privately owned supermarket chain in Southern California and the largest private employer in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties, with annual sales in 2012 of $3.9 billion. The company currently operates 167 supermarkets with 18,000 employees.
