Meijer appoints Rick Keyes president

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer Inc. announced the appointment of Rick Keyes as its newest president. Keyes, who joined the company 26 years ago as a pharmacist in Columbus, Ohio, will replace J.K. Symancyk, who is leaving the company to join a Texas-based retailer.

“We are pleased to introduce Rick as our new president,” said Hank Meijer, co-chairman and co-CEO. “Rick’s proven leadership has been an inspiration to our team. He has grown up with Meijer, excelling in positions in both pharmacy and store operations and, most recently, building industry-leading supply chain and manufacturing operations.”

Since 2006, Keyes worked as executive vice president of supply chain and manufacturing for Meijer. In that capacity, he oversaw the retailer’s expansion into manufacturing with the acquisition of one dairy and construction of another, and pioneered initiatives ranging from the launch of a near-zero-emissions truck fleet to significant investments in lean distribution technologies, the retailer said.

“I am truly humbled and honored to accept the role as president of Meijer,” Keyes said. “I joined this company as a front-line team member more than 25 years ago, and Meijer has provided me the opportunity to learn, grow and develop experiences across a variety of disciplines. I’m very much looking forward to working with our team members at all levels to ensure Meijer continues to grow and thrive.”

Keyes is also known as a strong advocate for team members; he has a passion for increasing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, Meijer said. Since 2012, he has led an initiative at several Meijer distribution facilities to create job opportunities for persons with various levels of disability, partnering with several local non-profit agencies.