Supermarket chain names new CEO

Photo: Pete Van Helden has been named chief executive of Stater Bros. Markets

One of the longest serving CEOs in the supermarket industry is stepping down.



Jack Brown, 77, who has served as chief executive of Stater Bros. Markets for 36 years, named industry-veteran Pete Van Helden to succeed him, effective January 4, 2016. Brown will become executive chairman of the privately held company.



Van Helden has served as president and COO of Stater Bros. since 2013. Prior to joining Stater Bros., he was executive VP retail operations of Supervalu.



Van Helden began his career in the supermarket industry in 1977, working as a courtesy clerk for Rosauers in Libby, Montana. In 1978, he joined Albertsons, where he went on to hold a variety of leadership positions.



Stater operates 169 supermarkets in Southern California.