COMMERCE, CALIF. — Retailer Smart & Final has named Scott Drew president and announced that Dave Hirz, the chain’s current president and CEO, is retiring effective Feb. 1, 2022.

Drew has been with Smart & Final since 2010 and has served as chief operating officer since 2020. Prior to joining the Smart & Final team, he served as vice president of store operations for The Kroger Company in Indianapolis, where he managed more than 150 stores in five states.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to lead our exceptional team of associates and build upon Smart & Final’s 150-year-old history,” said Drew. “Our differentiated offering, which attracts both business and household customers, puts us in a unique position to grow the business and capitalize on our momentum during the past few years.”

Hirz was recognized as the 2015 Food Industry Executive of the Year by the University of Southern California, and is a past recipient of numerous awards, including Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America Good Scout Award, California State University, Fullerton’s Vision and Visionary award, Olive Crest’s Founders Award, and the National Conference for Community and Justices’ Humanitarian of the Year Award. 

His celebrated career includes serving as president at both Ralphs and Food 4 Less. He joined Smart & Final as president and COO in 2010 before being promoted to CEO in 2012.