CEO and co-founder of Whole Foods Market John Mackey will retire on September 1, 2022 after 44 years at the retailer. In a letter on the grocer’s website, Mackey explained his reasoning behind the decision and shared that Jason Buechel, currently Whole Foods’ chief operating officer, will take over as CEO.
“Honestly, it’s very hard to retire from a company that I have helped to create, nourish and grow for 44 years when I leave,” wrote Mackey. “As a co-founder of Whole Foods, I’ve often explained my relationship to the company with a parent-child metaphor. As a parent, I have always loved Whole Foods with all my heart. I have done my best to instill strong values, a clear sense of higher purpose beyond profits, and a loving culture that allows the company and all our interdependent stakeholders to flourish. All parents reach a time when they must let go and trust that the values imparted will live on within their children. That time has nearly come for me and for Whole Foods.”
Buechel joined Whole Foods in 2013 as global vice president and chief information officer. In 2015, he was promoted to executive vice president and then named chief operating officer in 2019.
“Jason is one of my most trusted partners and I’m incredibly confident that the company will continue to evolve and thrive under his leadership,” said Mackey. “Jason has a number of very special qualities that will help him succeed as our next CEO. Not only is he extraordinarily intelligent with unusually high integrity, he is also a servant leader who lives and embodies Whole Foods core values and leadership principles and is fundamentally just a good and loving person.”
Mackey said he will work closely with Buechel and Whole Foods’ executive team to gradually transition his responsibilities.
“Words cannot begin to express how deeply grateful I am for your partnership on this incredible journey and how much I love the company and all of you,” Mackey shared. “I may be retiring from Whole Foods a year from now, but so long as I am still alive, I will remain connected to Whole Foods and will do all that I possibly can to help us all continue to flourish.”
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Image: Whole Foods Market