Phillip J. Smith Elected Chairman of the Board of Stater Bros. Markets

SAN BERNARDINO>> Stater Bros. Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Stater Bros. Markets has elected Phillip J. Smith to the position of Chairman of the Board of Stater Bros. Markets, due to the recent passing of Executive Chairman Jack H. Brown. In this position, Smith will provide guidance and leadership to the company’s executives and officers to ensure the continuity of Stater Bros. business operations and trusted brand. Smith has been a member of the Stater Bros. “family” for nearly 30 years and has more than 40 years of experience in the supermarket industry. In 2012, Smith was appointed by Jack H. Brown to the position of Vice Chairman of the Board of Stater Bros. Markets, his most recent position. “I am honored to have been elected to the position of Chairman of the Board of Stater Bros. Markets,” Smith said. “I knew Jack for over 40 years and worked closely with him at three different companies. I learned a great deal from Jack’s mentorship and feel privileged to carry on the values and traditions Jack established while ensuring the company remains competitive in the Southern California supermarket industry." Smith joined Stater Bros. in 1987 as the company’s Controller. He was promoted in 1998 to Vice President-Controller, and in 2000 he was promoted to Vice President-Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. In November of 2000, he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer, and in 2006 he was promoted to Executive Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to joining Stater Bros., Smith served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Market Basket Food Stores in East Texas from 1984 to 1987. From 1975 to 1984, he served as Vice President and Controller for various divisions of Cullum Companies, Inc. in Dallas, Texas. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin University in Texas. “Given Jack’s unwavering trust in Phil and long history of working together both within and outside of Stater Bros., I welcome and look forward to Phil’s mentorship and direction,” stated Stater Bros. President and CEO Pete Van Helden. Smith was also elected to the position of Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stater Bros. Holdings, Inc. Stater Bros. was founded in 1936 in Yucaipa, California, and has grown steadily through the years to become the largest privately owned Supermarket Chain in Southern California and the largest private employer in both San Bernardino County and Riverside County.