Executive brings nearly 40 years of experience to post

SAN BERNADINO, Calif. — Stater Bros. has promoted Keith Thomas to the position of executive vice president of retail operations.

Keith Thomas

Thomas will report directly to Stater Bros. president Greg McNiff and will be responsible for overseeing the retail operations of all the retailer’s stores. He will also be charged with ensuring that Stater Bros. provides its customers with a best-in-class shopping experience and outstanding customer service, according to the company. Thomas will also continue to serve on the company’s executive management team.

“Keith is a valuable member of our executive management team,” Stater Bros. chief executive officer Pete Van Helden said in a statement. “This promotion recognizes his outstanding leadership skills and dedication to providing our customers with the best shopping experience in Southern California.”

Thomas brings more than 39 years of retail grocery experience to his new role. He joined Stater Bros. in 1981 as courtesy clerk at the company’s Riverside, Calif., location. He rose through the ranks, holding such posts as store manager, retail grocery supervisor and retail district manager before being promoted to the position of regional vice president of retail operations in 2009. He was named senior vice president of retail operations in 2018 and last year he was promoted to his most recent post of group senior vice president of retail operations.

Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the University of Redlands and is also a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC) Food Industry Management Program. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC).