H-E-B names COO as next president
For the first time in its 120-year history, a woman will serve as president of regional grocery giant H-E-B.
The company has promoted chief operating officer Roxanne Orsak to the role of president, effective January 2026. Orsak will succeed Craig Boyan who plans to retire at the end of 2026 after 20 years of leadership.
Boyan will transition to a senior advisor role, remaining a member of the board of directors and joining the company’s board oversight and advisory committee. He joined H-E-B in 2005 as chief strategic officer, and was named president in 2010.
In a release, H-E-B called the appointment of Orsak as president as an especially meaningful milestone for the company, which was founded 120 years ago in 1905 by Florence Butt, a pioneering female entrepreneur. Orsak began her career at H-E-B in 1988 as a store management trainee, and rose through the ranks of store operations, merchandising, procurement, format design and more.
She has held leadership positions in almost every area of H-E-B’s business before being named COO in 2022.
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In her new role as president and COO, Orsak will report to CEO Howard Butt III.
“We are grateful for Craig’s consequential leadership that leaves a lasting impact on our company and culture,” said Butt III. “Craig has guided significant and continuous company growth while strengthening the people-based values that are so important to H-E-B. Roxanne is the natural choice to serve as H-E-B’s next president. She has a deep understanding of our business, which she honed from a broad range of leadership roles at H-E-B during her 37-year tenure. Roxanne leads by example, embodies our culture, and recognizes the unique contributions of each partner.”
H-E-B credits Orsak with leading multiple initiatives that have advanced the company’s mission and growth, including the launch of the H-E-B Plus! store format in 2004 and the Joe V’s Smart Shop store format in 2010.
“Throughout my time at H-E-B, our amazing partners and leaders have inspired me to be my very best,” said Orsak. “At H-E-B, we are more than just a grocery store. We are committed to showing up for each other and working hard so we can run a business that improves the lives of our partners, customers, and communities. I am honored to continue to shape the future of this great company with integrity, heart, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.”
H-E-B operates 455 grocery stores in Texas and Mexico.
