Hy-Vee CEO Randy Edeker is stepping down amid leadership changes at the grocery store chain
Randy Edeker, the CEO of Hy-Vee, the largest employer in Iowa with more than 93,000 staff in 285 stores across the Midwest, will step down from his post later this year. Edeker named current vice chairman of Hy-Vee Inc. Aaron Wiese as his replacement, effective Oct. 1, according to a company news release.
The news comes on the heels of the Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend in Newton July 23-24 that saw a sold-out doubleheader race and concerts by Tim McGraw, Florida Georgia Line, Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton.
In December, the company started its expansion into Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama to expand its footprint.
Wiese has been with Hy-Vee since 1993, serving in various operations and leadership roles. By 2014, Wiese had moved through the ranks of the supermarket chain and was promoted to assistant vice president, vice president and then eventually president of Amber Specialty Pharmacy, where he oversaw business development within Hy-Vee's health and wellness division. He continued to move up within the company, first being promoted to executive vice president in December 2020 and eventually landing his current role in December 2021.
Under the new leadership structure, Edeker will continue to serve as Hy-Vee's chairman of the board, a position he has held since June 2012, according to Bloomberg. Jeremy Gosch will also remain as president and chief operating officer of Hy-Vee, according to the release.
Edeker said the leadership change intends to help him focus on the company's broader strategy and goals.
“With this announcement, I can continue to focus on Hy-Vee’s strategy and evolution in today’s changing environment while Jeremy can focus on overseeing our stores and Aaron can focus on the day-to-day operations of the overall company," he said in the news release.
The West Des Moines-based supermarket chain started in Iowa in 1930 and has since expanded to eight states across the Midwest.
More: How IndyCar's big race weekend at Iowa Speedway came together: It started with a chat
Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at FBlock@registermedia.com or on Twitter at @francescablock3.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Hy-Vee CEO Randy Edeker to step down in 2022; Aaron Wiese named CEO
