Last updated on January 14th, 2015 at 10:26 am
The Fresh Market said Monday afternoon that CEO Craig Carlock has left the company and resigned as a member of the board of directors. Sean Crane, EVP and COO, will serve as interim CEO. The Greensboro, North Carolina-based grocer has retained a national executive search firm to assist in identifying and evaluating candidates for the president and CEO position.
Carlock was named CEO in 2009.
Ray Berry, founder of the company and board chairman, said, “The board and I would like to thank Craig for his many years of service and significant contributions to The Fresh Market. Under Craig’s leadership, the company successfully transitioned from a private to a public company and experienced five consecutive years of increased sales and earnings. The company is well positioned, both culturally and financially, for future success and has a significant opportunity through its unique and differentiated grocery shopping experience to gain share in existing markets and expand into new markets. I further believe meaningful opportunities exist to improve profit margins through both structural and operational initiatives.
“The board is focused on identifying the right candidate to lead The Fresh Market through its next phases of growth, while providing opportunities for our employees and delivering greater value to our stockholders,” he added.
Crane has 14 years of senior management experience with The Fresh Market, having served as EVP and COO since 2012. He was SVP of store operations from 2006-2012 and SVP of real estate and development from 2005-2006. Additionally, Crane served as interim CFO from December 2012-June 2013.
“Sean is a strong executive and a proven leader, with significant experience and knowledge of the company and its operations,” Berry said. “He has been instrumental in the development and execution of The Fresh Market’s growth strategies and a key player in its success. Sean has the board’s full support to continue executing the company’s growth strategies and initiatives.”
The Fresh Market currently operates 168 stores in 27 states.
