SpartanNash board adds three new independent directors

SpartanNash expanded its board of directors to 12 members with the appointment of three new independent directors.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based SpartanNash said Monday that Julien Mininberg, Jaymin Patel and Pamela Puryear have joined its board effective immediately. The grocery distributor/retailer described the addition of three new directors as a “board refreshment,” as plans call for the board to shrink back to nine members after the company’s 2022 annual shareholders meeting this spring.

Current directors Frank Gambino, Yvonne Jackson and Elizabeth Nickels won’t be standing for re-election at the annual meeting, SpartanNash reported.

“Since last summer, our board has undertaken a deliberate and thorough refreshment process, with the assistance of a leading executive search firm, to ensure the board continues to have the right combination of skills, experience and diversity to oversee value creation for shareholders,” SpartanNash Chairman Douglas Hacker said in a statement. “This process culminated with the identification of three terrific independent directors in Julien, Jaymin and Pamela, whose complementary skills will help support the company’s continued growth. These individuals collectively bring valuable experience leading or serving on boards of public companies, along with expertise directly relevant to advancing SpartanNash’s strategic objectives.”

Related:SpartanNash extends distribution reach to West Coast

New SpartanNash independent directors (from left) Julien Mininberg, Pamela Puryear and Jaymin Patel.

Mininberg currently serves as CEO of Helen of Troy Ltd., a global developer, marketer and distributor of consumer products. Before that, he served as president and CEO of health and personal care product maker Kaz Inc., a Helen of Troy subsidiary, and spent 15 years at Procter & Gamble Co. Meanwhile, Puryear formerly was global chief human resources officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance, exiting that post last fall. Previously, she was chief HR officer at health care company Zimmer Biomet and, before that, as chief talent officer at pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. Patel now serves as president and chief financial officer of special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Clarim Acquisition Corp. and as executive chairman of Cloud Agronomics Inc., a soil carbon measurement platform. He also previously served as CEO of global wireless device services company Brightstar and as president and CEO of gaming technology company GTECH Corp.

“As we continue to execute our strategy, SpartanNash remains focused on our priorities of creating a people-first culture, elevating execution, delivering the promise to transform our supply chain, acting on insights to optimize customer and product portfolios, and launching customer-centric, innovative solutions,” SpartanNash President and CEO Tony Sarsam stated. “Along with the rest of the board, I look forward to benefiting from the experience and fresh perspectives Julien, Jaymin and Pamela offer as we work to deliver profitable growth and enhance the value we bring to our shareholders, associates, customers and other stakeholders.”

Related:Douglas Hacker takes reins as SpartanNash chairman

SpartanNash noted that, after its upcoming annual meeting, eight of its nine board directors will be independent, with five appointed in the last four years.

“I would like to thank Frank, Yvonne and Beth for their tremendous contributions and years of service as directors of SpartanNash,” Hacker added. “Each of them has not only provided valuable insights and guidance during their tenure on the board, but more recently helped to provide stability and continuity throughout the pandemic and as we brought on a new management team to develop and implement a new strategy for the company.”

Hacker became SpartanNash’s chairman last May, taking over from Dennis Eidson, who retired after nearly five years in the position. SpartanNash had announced Hacker as Eidson’s successor in late March. Eidson also served as interim president and CEO of SpartanNash, while remaining chairman, upon the resignation of David Staples in August 2019 until Sarsam began as president and CEO in mid-September 2020.