Whole Foods Market Announces Changes to Leadership; Eliminates Co-CEO Structure; Appoints John Mackey CEO
November 02 2016 - 4:15PM
The Board of Directors of Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ:WFM) today
announced changes to the leadership structure, including
transitioning from co-Chief Executive Officers to a sole Chief
Executive Officer, with co-Founder John Mackey to serve in that
capacity.
Walter Robb will remain on the Company’s Board of Directors and
continue to serve as Chairman for both Whole Kids Foundation and
Whole Cities Foundation. He will officially transition his co-CEO
responsibilities on December 31, 2016, and will continue to be a
senior advisor to the Company. Robb has served the company for 25
years, most recently as co-Chief Executive Officer for the previous
six years.
“Under Walter’s leadership, Whole Foods Market has grown from 12
to 464 stores in three countries. He has been instrumental in
accelerating investment in our digital strategy and technology
transformation to meet the ever-changing retail landscape,” said
Dr. John Elstrott, Chairman of Whole Foods Market’s Board of
Directors. “In the past year Walter and John have hired five new
senior executives, and have adopted and made significant progress
on their nine point strategic plan, putting the company in a strong
foundational position for winning.”
“It is impossible to convey what Walter has done for Whole Foods
Market since he joined us in 1991,” said co-Founder and co-Chief
Executive Officer John Mackey. “His incredible passion for retail
and sense of the customer makes him the most extraordinary retailer
I’ve had the privilege to work with. During his 25 years of
leadership, Walter has been an advocate for the Whole Foods Market
culture and a champion for our Team Members. His genuine love
for our mission and our Team Members truly reflects what it means
to be a conscious leader.”
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Glenda
Flanagan, the longest ever serving female Chief Financial Officer
in the Fortune 500, will retire from the role after 29 years at the
end of the 2017 fiscal year. She will continue to serve the Company
in a senior advisor capacity.
“Glenda joined Whole Foods Market in 1988 and has
helped guide us through significant growth from six stores, to
464 stores and more than $15 billion in sales today,”
said co-Chief Executive Officers John Mackey and Walter Robb.
“She has been an outstanding CFO. Her intelligence,
wisdom, business acumen, kindness, and integrity have been at the
heart of everything Whole Foods Market has done and
accomplished over the past 28 years. Glenda is deeply
loved and respected by us and everyone at Whole Foods Market
who has had the opportunity to know her.”
The company also announced today that Mary Ellen Coe, Vice
President of Sales and Product Operations for Google, has joined
the Whole Foods Market Board of Directors.
“Mary Ellen’s deep experience in marketing, digital strategy,
and brand strategy is incredibly valuable, and we’re excited to
have such a talented leader join our Board of Directors,” said Dr.
John Elstrott. “We’re confident that her expertise and
understanding of the evolving marketplace will benefit the company
as we remain focused on strategic investments in marketing and
elevating digital experience.”
For more information on Whole Foods Market, please visit our
website.
Whole Foods Market: Brooke Buchanan
Phone: (512) 542-0751
Email: brooke.buchanan@wholefoods.com
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