TYLER, Texas — Brookshire Grocery Company announced that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brad Brookshire will retire, ending a 49-year career with the family-owned supermarket company. Jerry LeClair, the company’s chief operating officer, will serve as interim CEO.
Brookshire, the grandson of company founder W.T. Brookshire, began his career with BGC in 1977 and advanced through roles including store director, vice president, executive vice president and president before becoming CEO. He served 20 years as chairman of the board and 10 years as CEO. Under his leadership, the company expanded its number of stores, strengthened its retail banners and deepened its commitment to customer service and community engagement across its markets in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
A regional grocery operator since 1928, Brookshire Grocery Company grew from 152 to 222 stores during Brookshire’s tenure and invested in store remodels, technological improvements and strategic partnerships, the company said. The business also maintained support for the communities it serves during severe weather events and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brookshire helped establish the Heroes Flight program, which has taken nearly 600 veterans on all-expenses-paid trips to Washington, D.C., and led the Focus on the Future Scholarship program, providing more than $1 million in scholarships for students attending colleges and universities in BGC markets.
Industry recognition for Brookshire includes induction into the Food Industry Hall of Fame in 2020 and receipt of the Food Industry Association’s Sidney R. Rabb Award in 2024. He also served on Governor Greg Abbott’s Strike Force to Open Texas during the pandemic.
LeClair, who joined BGC in 2019 and has more than 40 years of grocery industry experience, was promoted to chief operating officer last year. In that role, he oversaw retail operations, marketing, category management, merchandising, fuel, logistics and facilities before being named interim CEO.
BGC plans a celebration this spring to honor Brookshire’s contributions to the company. It operates more than 220 stores in four states and employs more than 17,000 people.
This article is based on reporting by the Tyler Morning Telegraph.