Hy-Vee's Edeker Named CEO of the Year by Retail Leader

PRESS RELEASE

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (Feb. 27, 2015) — Hy-Vee, Inc. Chairman of the Board, CEO and President Randy Edeker has been named CEO of the Year by Retail Leader magazine.

In the current magazine issue, Edeker is recognized for his outstanding outreach, which includes initiatives to improve and expand food service offerings and in-store customer outreach; emphasis on sustainability; and participation in community and trade organizations. He serves as chairman of the Member Services Committee for the Food Marketing Institute and will become chairman of the National Association of Chain Drugstores in April.

“To be recognized by a well-respected publication in our industry is humbling, and our 75,000 employees also deserve credit. They make it all possible by taking our company to new heights through hard work and dedication to our customers,” said Edeker, who is Hy-Vee’s fourth CEO in the grocery chain’s 85-year history.

Edeker said Hy-Vee’s culture and autonomous structure are what make the company successful. He’s quoted in the article as saying, “I had somebody tell me one time, ‘Culture eats strategy for breakfast,’ and I think that’s true,” he said. “You have to have an understanding of the culture you’re a part of, and that will help you develop strategy to be successful.”

Supervalu Inc. CEO Sam Duncan was also recognized in the January/February issue of Retail Leader.

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Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating 235 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of more than $8.7 billion annually. Hy-Vee ranks among the top 25 supermarket chains and the top 50 private companies in the United States. Supermarket News, the authoritative voice of the food industry, has honored the company with a Whole Health Enterprise Award for its leadership in providing services and programs that promote a healthy lifestyle. For more information, visit www.hy-vee.com.