Spinner to become chairman of UNFI

STEVEN L. SPINNER, president and CEO of United Natural Foods Inc. in Providence, has been named chairman of the company’s board of directors. / COURTESY UNFI
STEVEN L. SPINNER, president and CEO of United Natural Foods Inc. in Providence, has been named chairman of the company’s board of directors. / COURTESY UNFI

PROVIDENCE – Steven L. Spinner, president and CEO of United Natural Foods Inc., will become chairman of the company’s board of directors following its annual meeting in December.
Spinner will succeed Michael S. Funk, co-founder, former CEO and current chairman. Funk will remain a director of the company, according to a news release issued by UNFI this week.
“Thanks to Steve’s leadership over the last eight years UNFI has undergone a dramatic evolution,” James P. Heffernan, UNFI’s lead independent director, said in a statement. “On behalf of the board of directors, we have confidence in Steve’s ability to continue to execute upon UNFI’s strategic vision for growth. I would also like to thank Michael for his exemplary leadership of our board and his continued guidance, input and leadership.”
Funk, who said he has been involved with UNFI, a carrier and distributor of natural, organic and specialty food products, for 40 years, said he is “as excited as ever about our future. Steve and I enjoy a great working relationship and I look forward to continuing to work with him as a member of UNFI’s board.”
Spinner has served as UNFI’s president and CEO and as a member of the company’s board of directors since September 2008. In that time, UNFI’s net sales have grown to nearly $8.5 billion in fiscal 2016 from approximately $3.5 billion in fiscal 2009.

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