Steven Burd: Leading Safeway

Steven Burd was born in 1949 in Valley City, North Dakota. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Carroll University in 1971 and a Masters in Economics from the University of Wisconsin in 1973. He was a Principal of Burd and Associates.

Steven was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Safeway Inc in 1987 and served in that position till October 1992. He then became President from October 26, 1992 to May 2013. On April 30 1993 he became the Chief Executive Officer of Safeway until May 14, 2013.  He joined the Board of Directors on September 7, 1993 and became Chairman of the Board from May 12, 1998 to May 14, 2013.

Having served as CEO for two decades Steven has played a long and significant role in the company’s fortune.  He shaped Safeway and built it into the second-largest supermarket chain in the U.S. This was a very challenging job to say the least because when he took the helm in 1993 the company was sinking.

As far as job performance is concerned. Different sectors have mixed opinion about his leadership style. What they do agree on is he kept the company afloat which meant thousands of workers kept their jobs.

Some employees and customers have been alienated with his cost-cutting tactics. 

As far as labor relations, customer service and health care are concerned; Burd's record is mixed, based on interviews with analysts, grocery industry leaders and labor advocates.  He is known for promoting innovative ideas and taking risks.

Upon retirement Burd left the company in a healthy state. Since 1997 sales have doubled to $44.2 billion and its stock has increased from $3.35 per share in May 1993 when he became CEO to more than $24 when he left.  The firm earned around $597 million in 2012.

Burd will also be well remembered for his efforts in health care reform. At Safeway, workers who smoke, are obese or fail to meet other standards of health pay more. Later the “Safeway Amendment” was added to the Affordable Care Act as a way to cut costs for employers.

The company he left bears little resemblance to the struggling firm he took the leadership role in 1993.