Kim Eskew
Harps Food Stores Inc. of Springdale said Chairman Roger Collins has stepped down, and President and CEO Kim Eskew will fill the post.
The privately held grocery chain’s board elected Eskew during its annual meeting. The company said Collins is fully retiring after serving as chairman for the 17 years.
“Roger Collins was exactly the right person at the right time to lead Harps from a family owned and operated business to an employee owned and operated business,” Eskew said in a news release. “Every employee owner will have a better retirement and future because of Roger’s leadership.”
Eskew became CEO in November 2016. He had previously been president and chief operating officer.
The board also added three new members: David Ganoung, vice president of marketing; Frank Ray, vice president of human resources; and Mike Thurow, vice president of store systems.
Harps was founded in Springdale in 1930 by Harvard and Floy Harp. The company grew under the leadership of sons Don and Gerald Harp until 2001 when it became 100 percent employee owned.
Harps said that since 2001, shares of the stock have risen from $27 to $445 per share. The company has 90 locations in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas.
Sign up for Daily E-news
