SpartanNash Brings On Peapod Alum as President of Food Distribution

SpartanNash has brought on former Peapod executive Walt Lentz as its new EVP and president of food distribution. 

The new hire will take control of the company's entire food distribution segment and supply chain and will work with the SpartanNash team to develop and execute strategic plans to grow wholesale distribution and food manufacturing profitability. 

Lentz will report to SpartanNash’s president and CEO, David Staples, who said Lentz's “multi-disciplined logistics and supply chain career and commanding knowledge of the grocery industry from distribution, retailing and omnichannel commerce to manufacturing and merchandising” make him a great fit for the company. 

“His proven track record of achieving top-line sales growth and bottom-line cost savings with emerging innovative solutions, merchandising and marketing initiatives, and improved customer and associate satisfaction are reflective of Walt’s transformational leadership skills,” he added. “We believe his expertise and energy to accelerate our strategic plan will be an asset to our organization.”

Lentz has 32 years of logistics and supply chain experience, having most recently served as acting CEO and chief supply chain officer of Peapod, the e-commerce division of Ahold Delhaize, from 2017 to 2019. He also held several other roles at Ahold Delhaize, including SVP of supply chain for Giant Foods and SVP of supply chain logistics planning and replenishment for Ahold USA Retail. From 1997 to 2009, Lentz held several executive roles with the Kellogg Co.