Food distributor names president

Food distributor names president

Dave Staples. Courtesy SpartanNash

A publicly traded local company has a new president.

Grand Rapids-based SpartanNash (Nasdaq: SPTN) said today that it has appointed Dave Staples to the role.

Most recently, Staples has served as the company’s COO, a role he will continue.

The company also said today that Dennis Eidson was elected chairman at its annual shareholders meeting this summer. He will also continue his role as SpartanNash CEO.

Staples will continue to report to Eidson.

“Dave has been an instrumental member of our team for the past 16 years and a key leader in our transformational merger in 2013,” Eidson said. “His leadership in integrating and optimizing the wholesale and military supply chains has been tremendous.”

Direct reports

Staples will have a variety of direct reports: Derek Jones, EVP and president of wholesale and distribution operations; Ted Adornato, EVP of retail operations; Larry Pierce, EVP of merchandising and marketing; Ed Brunot, EVP and president of MDV; and Dave Couch, CIO. 

Staples’ background

Staples has been with SpartanNash since 2000, when he began his tenure with the company as EVP and CFO. He remained CFO until April 2016 when Chris Meyers joined the company.

He has been COO since March 2015.

Prior to joining SpartanNash, Staples was a divisional VP of accounting operations for Kmart and a senior audit manager with Arthur Andersen & Co.

Staples holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Michigan State University.