Hy-Vee ditches its dual CEO model

Hy-Vee's dual-CEO structure didn’t last long.

Just a few months after announcing Jeremy Gosch and Aaron Wiese as co-CEOs, the retailer on Tuesday confirmed that Gosch is the grocer's sole CEO, while Wiese has been named one of the company's presidents. Gosch started his Hy-Vee career in 1996 and has been promoted to many executive leadership roles in merchandising, marketing, strategy and operations. He was named president and chief operating officer in December 2021.

Jeremy Gosch / Photo courtesy: Hy-Vee

“As we continue to expand as a company, our leadership has now been restructured into areas of focus. Wiese oversees the health and wellness, subsidiaries, distribution and technology areas of our company as a president,” Tina Potthoff, Hy-Vee’s senior vice president of communications told WGB.

Randy Edeker, board executive chairman / Photo courtesy: Hy-Vee

The new areas of focus includes three positions—Wiese as president; Donna Tweeten as president; and Kevin Sherlock as chief operating officer—who will now report to Gosch as the CEO of Hy-Vee, Inc. and vice chairman of Hy-Vee’s board of directors. Randy Edeker, who now serves as executive chairman of Hy-Vee’s board of directors and executive director of Hy-Vee, made the announcements at the company’s annual stockholders meeting late last month.

Hy-Vee President Aaron Wiese / Photo courtesy: Hy-Vee

Wiese has been with Hy-Vee since high school in 1993. Upon graduation, he managed Hy-Vee Care before becoming director, health/wellness strategic planning in 2013. He will now be responsible for the operations of all Hy-Vee’s healthcare and retail pharmacy locations, as well as Hy-Vee’s newest subsidiary Hy-Vee Healthcare, LLC., while also overseeing new technology initiatives for the company.

Hy-Vee President Donna Tweeten / Photo courtesy: Hy-Vee

Tweeten oversees the marketing, merchandising, private brands and digital development areas of the company. Her promotion is the first time a woman has been named president of Hy-Vee. She will also oversee operations of Hy-Vee’s new retail media network, Red Media. Tweeten’s career with Hy-Vee began in 2006 as assistant vice president of communications.

Hy-Vee COO Kevin Sherlock / Photo courtesy: Hy-Vee

Sherlock oversees retail operations at Hy-Vee stores as chief operating officer. Prior to being named chief operating officer, Sherlock served as executive vice president and chief merchandising officer. He has been with Hy-Vee since 1986, starting as a part-time courtesy clerk.

Hy-Vee Chief of Staff Georgia Van Gundy / Photo courtesy: Hy-Vee

Georgia Van Gundy was promoted to chief of staff. Van Gundy joined the Hy-Vee leadership team in 2019 as senior vice president, administration, industry and government relations. She will serve as chief of staff, in addition to executive vice president and chief customer officer, as well as chief administrative officer for the company, which includes oversight of human resources, government relations, community relations, communications, customer care, DEI initiatives, risk management, training and education, and food safety.

West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation that operates more than 285 retail stores across eight Midwestern states.