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Buehler’s CEO Dan Shanahan to step down

Ohio grocery chain expects to name successor soon

Russell Redman

November 2, 2021

2 Min Read
Buehlers_store_exterior-MainStreet_Grill.jpg
Plans call for Shanahan to retire as Buehler's Fresh Foods CEO at the end of this year but continue in the role of chairman.Buehler's

Buehler’s Fresh Foods Chairman, President and CEO Dan Shanahan plans to retire effective Dec. 31.

Wooster, Ohio-based Buehler’s reported the move Tuesday in announcing Shanahan’s election to the Ohio Grocers Association Hall Of Fame. The grocer said Shanahan disclosed his upcoming retirement when receiving the association’s award on Oct. 29.

Dan Shanahan-Buehlers Fresh Foods-Nov2021jpg.jpgPlans call for Shanahan (left) to continue as chairman of Buehler’s board. The retailer said it “will be announcing a successor to the CEO position shortly.”

Currently, Buehler’s operates 14 supermarkets in northeastern Ohio, including locations in Wooster (two), Medina (two), Galion, Wadsworth, Akron (Portage Lakes), Orrville, New Philadelphia, Massillon, Dover, Coshocton, Canton and Ashland. In 2017, the retailer transitioned to an employee-owned company, in which Buehler family-owned E&H Family Group sold the chain to its workers via an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), with the new company led by Shanahan, who had been president and chief operating officer of the grocer since 2011.

The Ohio Grocers Association noted that Shanahan began his grocery career as a single-store operator for Tops Friendly Markets in Buffalo, N.Y. He became vice president for point-of-sale at Tops in 1981, serving in that post until 1995. Next, he spent three years as country manager for Malaysia and Singapore at global food retailer Royal Ahold before rejoining Tops in 1999 as vice president of the small store division. Returning from Asia, Shanahan partnered with the Nanula family and BRS & Co. to buy the Wilson Farms/Sugar Creek convenience store chain and was tapped as its vice president and chief financial officer in 2005. The chain was sold to 7-Eleven in 2011, and Shanahan joined Buehler’s as COO in July 2011.

Related:Buehler’s taps SpartanNash’s Amy McClellan for board

“The Hall Of Fame award is the summit of personal achievement for our industry leaders,” Kristin Mullins, president and CEO of the Ohio Grocers Association, said in a statement. “It recognizes those individuals who constantly represent the best of the industry, in their personal and professional lives. These are people not only dedicated to their craft, but also to others, and Dan is a perfect example of that service and commitment. We are honored to induct Dan Shanahan to the Ohio Grocers Hall Of Fame.”

Last week, Buehler’s announced the addition of Amy McClellan, vice president of fresh merchandising for retail operations at SpartanNash, to its board of directors. In reporting the appointment, Buehler’s cited McClellan’s leadership and store operations experience.

Related:Buehler’s promotes Rich Bidinger to lead real estate, construction

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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