Jack H. Brown, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Stater Bros. Markets, announced that Peter Van Helden has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Stater Bros. Markets. He succeeds Jim Lee, who is retiring as of June 1, 2013.
Van Helden is a 36-year veteran of the supermarket industry.
Prior to joining Stater Bros., Van Helden was Executive Vice President Retail Operations for Supervalu. He began his career in 1977, working for Rosauers in Libby, Montana as a Courtesy Clerk.
In 1978, he relocated to Bozeman, Montana where he joined Albertsons as a Clerk. Van Helden joined Supervalu through the company’s 2006 acquisition of Albertsons, where he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Albertsons’ California Food Division.
During his 35-year tenure at Albertsons, Van Helden held a variety of leadership positions including operations, merger integration and dual branding. As President and Chief Executive Officer of Albertsons’ California Food Division, he oversaw a business unit comprised of more than 500 stores and 41,000 associates. Prior to this position and experience, he was President of the company’s Jewel-Osco Division.
Van Helden holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Phoenix.
“Pete is a well respected and long-time Food Industry Executive,” stated Brown. “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.