Dollar General, the bargain retailer, recently announced changes to its executive leadership. Both promotions went into effect on August 27 as a part of the company’s continued growth. Jeffery C. Owen has been named Chief Operating Officer, and Steven G. Sunderland will succeed Owen as Executive Vice President of Store Operations.
In his new role, Owen will be responsible for store operations, merchandising, and supply chain operations. Owen has over 25 years of retail experience, and is a Dollar General veteran, having joined the company in 1992 as a Store Manager. He then held a variety of roles within the company with increasing responsibility. Owen spent some time apart from the retailer, but returned to Dollar General in June 2015 to serve as Executive Vice President of Store Operations.
In that role, he oversaw nearly 16,000 stores throughout 44 states, along with retail and new store development functions, according to a press release. During Owen’s time in the role, Dollar General added more than 3,500 stores and increased sales by more than 35 percent. Owen holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Business Administration from Vanderbilt University.
Sunderland, who will take Owen’s place as Executive Vice President of Store Operations, joined Dollar General in September 2014 as Senior Vice President of Store Operations. In that role, Sunderland oversaw stores predominantly in the southern half of the U.S. He has a wealth of industry experience, serving as Senior Vice President of Retail Operations for Office Depot from November 2013 until January 2014; OfficeMax Incorporated from May 2012 until November 2013; and as Chief Operating Officer for Bally Total Fitness Holding Corporation from 2011 until April 2012. He started his career in 1987 with Sears as a Store Manager, and spent the next 20 years with the company in various positions of increasing responsibility—eventually rising to the role of Vice President of Strategic Operations. Sunderland earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Colorado College, and a master’s in Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
“This enhanced management structure positively positions Dollar General as we continue moving forward as a leader in our sector. Jeff and Steve’s leadership, insights, and demonstrated performance will help support efforts to continue to capture growth opportunities, drive our short and long term strategic focus, and best serve our customers,” said Todd J. Vasos, Chief Executive Officer. “At Dollar General, investing in our employees as a competitive advantage by providing employees with growth and development opportunities is one of our core values and a cornerstone of our culture. I am confident Jeff and Steve are the right leaders for these positions, and I would like to congratulate them both on their new roles.”
Congratulations from all of us here at Deli Market News to Owen and Sunderland on their new roles!
