Hy-Vee appoints new CEO, plus other executive changes

Hy-Vee Inc. Chairman and CEO Randy Edeker named Aaron Wiese as the company's next CEO, effective Oct. 1.

Edeker will remain as chairman of the West Des Moines, Iowa-based retailer, according to a news release. Wiese is currently vice chairman of Hy-Vee and president of the company’s supply chain and subsidiaries. Jeremy Gosch will remain as president and chief operating officer of Hy-Vee, overseeing retail operations for the business.

Hy-Vee operates more than 285 retail stores across eight Midwestern states.

“Both Aaron and Jeremy have been trusted leaders of our executive team for many years, and I am thankful for the leadership they continue to provide our great company,” Edeker said in the release. “With this announcement, I can continue to focus on Hy-Vee’s strategy and evolution in today’s changing environment while Jeremy can focus on overseeing our stores and Aaron can focus on the day-to-day operations of the overall company.”

Two other regional grocery-retailers have announced executive changes in the last week.

• Carlisle, Pa.-based The Giant Co. promoted and expanded its leadership team.
• Encino, Calif.-based Gelsons also adjusted its executive leadership.

At Hy-Vee, Wiese and Gosch will continue to report to Edeker.

Wiese

Starting his Hy-Vee career in 1993 while earning his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Northern Iowa. Wiese served in several operations leadership roles after graduation. In 2012, Wiese joined Hy-Vee’s executive staff as director of real estate strategic planning, and in 2013, he became director of health-wellness strategic planning.

In 2014, he was promoted to assistant vice president of specialty pharmacy, and then vice president of business development at Amber Specialty Pharmacy. Over the next six years, Wiese was instrumental in leading multiple facets of Hy-Vee’s health and wellness division, as well as serving as president of Hy-Vee subsidiary Amber Specialty Pharmacy. Wiese was promoted to the executive vice president level in December 2020, and became president of digital growth and co-chief operating officer in April 2021. He was promoted to his current position in December 2021.

“Aaron is ready to help me lead the company as chief executive officer,” Edeker said. “He has a strong vision for the total breadth of our company and is extremely knowledgeable in many areas.”

Gosch

Gosch began his Hy-Vee career as a part-time clerk at the Lantern Park Plaza Hy-Vee in Coralville, Iowa, in 1995, and spent the next 12 years moving into retail operations management roles, including store director at multiple locations. In 2012, he joined Hy-Vee’s executive staff when he was promoted to assistant vice president of operations for the Northeast.

For the next six years, he held several executive leadership roles, and in early 2018, he was promoted to executive vice president, co-chief operating officer, chief marketing officer, and later that year he transitioned into chief operating officer. In April 2021, Gosch became president of retail operations and co-chief operating officer. He was promoted to his current position in December 2021.

Gosch earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Iowa. Gosch is the fifth president in Hy-Vee’s 92-year history.

“Jeremy has incredible knowledge of our retail business and has a strong sense of urgency to meet the challenging times we live in today,” Edeker said. “He has a great understanding of how we need to continue to evolve our company to grow, which will keep us on a path toward continued success as one of the best grocers in the U.S.”