COMMERCE, CA - Smart & Final Stores, Inc.’s Board of Directors elected two new members late last week.
Paul N. Hopkins and Kenneth I. Tuchman, who together bring an expansive range of leadership experience, joined as the retail chain’s newest Directors, effective September 18th.
"I'm pleased that Paul and Ken are joining our Board of Directors, adding extensive and diverse strategic expertise that will complement our current Board and support the Smart & Final leadership team,” Dave Hirz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Smart & Final, said, according to a press release.
Hopkins has been appointed as a member of both the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee of the Board, putting into effect Dennis T. Gies’, now former member of the Audit Committee, resignation. The company did state, however, that Gies will continue to serves the Board as a member of the Compensation Committee.
Tuchman was appointed a member of the Audit Committee as well as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, upon which the previously announced resignation put in by Richard A. Anicetti went into effect.
According to the release, Hopkins is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Farmers Group, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of its Americas operations, including Latin America and shared services operations. Hopkins has also served in a wide range of executive leadership roles for Farmers Group from 1978 to 2011 when he retired.
Tuchman has held the Vice Chairman position at Bank of Montreal Capital Markets' investment and corporate banking groups since 2010 and has extensive consumer and retail sector experience. He has previously served as:
- Vice Chairman at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch
- Chairman of Global Banking Americas at Dresdner Kleinwort
- Co-Head of Global M&A
- Head of Consumer and Retail sectors at Lehman Brothers
He also serves on the board of department store chain Gordmans Stores, Inc.
Hirz concluded that the team looks forward to both individuals’ insights and contributions as Smart & Final continues its strong store growth program.
