Harps Food Stores Names New President

Springdale, Ark.-based Harps Food Stores Inc., an employee-owned company with 120 grocery stores in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas, has named J. Max Van Hoose president.

“J. Max has demonstrated his value to Harps in a great many ways during his tenure as EVP, and I am very happy to see this well-deserved promotion take place,” said Kim Eskew, chairman and CEO of Harps, in a statement.

J. Max Van Hoose

Van Hoose is a Northwest Arkansas native and graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1991 with a degree in industrial engineering. In 1997, after earning his MBA at the University of Kansas, Van Hoose returned to Arkansas to join Harps Food Stores as director of construction and equipment. 

In 2002, he was named VP of store planning and then later to EVP. In his new role, Van Hoose will continue to oversee store development, acquisitions, construction and real estate activities for Harps.

He has been involved with the Springdale Rotary Club, serving as president in 2006, and the Springdale Chamber of Commerce, serving as chairman in 2012. Van Hoose is a member of the University of Arkansas's Academy of Industrial Engineers and serves on the board of directors for the Missouri Grocers Association.

Harps is a100% employee-owned. Founded by Harvard and Floy Harp in 1930, the company now employs 5,500 associates.