Grocery Outlet announced that effective January 1, 2023, Eric Lindberg will transition from the role of Chief Executive Officer to Chairman of the Board, and RJ Sheedy, currently the Company’s President, will become President and Chief Executive Officer.
The company said in a press release that Sheedy also will be appointed to the Board, and Erik D. Ragatz, currently Chairman of the Board, will assume the role of Lead Independent Director.
“There is no one better to lead Grocery Outlet into the next chapter of growth than RJ Sheedy. He is a strong business leader who takes a long-term strategic approach, which will position Grocery Outlet for continued success,” said Lindberg.
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“RJ’s leadership style exemplifies our culture and values, he is passionate about the business, and his relentless pursuit of excellence resonates with and inspires our team. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have led this remarkable group of people for the past seventeen years, and I look forward to working closely with RJ and the management team in my future role as Chairman,” Lindberg added.
Sheedy brings over 20 years of experience in the grocery and retail industries. He joined Grocery Outlet in 2012 and has served as the Company’s President since 2019. Throughout his tenure at Grocery Outlet, Sheedy has served in leadership roles overseeing purchasing, marketing, supply chain, and strategy.
“I am honored to serve as the next CEO of Grocery Outlet, succeeding Eric, who has demonstrated great leadership and vision. The company has experienced tremendous growth and transformation during his tenure, and I look forward to working with Eric for many more years to come,” said Sheedy. “For over ten years, I have had the privilege of working with the incredibly talented and committed group of independent operators and employees at Grocery Outlet. I am excited to continue working closely with them to provide even better value to our customers and extend our mission of Touching Lives for the Better in both existing and new geographies. I am eager to lead Grocery Outlet forward as we strive to realize our tremendous growth potential.”
For his part, Ragatz said, “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Eric for his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to Grocery Outlet and our employees, independent operators, customers, and communities. Under his stewardship, the business has experienced remarkable success and remains well-positioned for continued growth. As President, RJ has been instrumental in that success and in guiding the company’s long-term strategic vision. RJ is a respected leader throughout the company, and we are confident he is the best person to lead Grocery Outlet through this exciting next phase of growth.”