Green Bay-based Shopko Stores announced today that chief operating officer Mike Bettiga has been appointed interim chief executive officer of the company, effective immediately.
Bettiga replaces Paul Jones who left the company to “pursue another opportunity.” The company released no other details about the reasons for Jones’ departure.
“We appreciate the many contributions Paul Jones has made to Shopko during the past five years and wish him nothing but the best,” said Scott King, senior managing director of Sun Capital Partners, a private investment firm whose affiliate owns Shopko. “A national search is under way to select a new leader for the company. In the meantime, we are delighted to have Mike Bettiga, an experienced retail executive, serve as interim CEO. With the support of an outstanding management team, the board and I have every confidence that Shopko will continue on its successful path forward. Mike has over 35 years of experience in the retail industry and served as a senior executive for many of those years. His leadership skills and industry knowledge will serve our customers and employees well during this interim period.”
Bettiga began his career with Shopko as a pharmacist in 1977. He has held several positions during his tenure with the company.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as Interim CEO for Shopko, a company that I have been an integral part of for most of my professional career,” Bettiga said. “We have ambitious plans for the future, including the continued roll-out of the Shopko Hometown concept and I look forward to leading the team on that effort and our other growth initiatives.”
