Brad Brookshire retires from Brookshire Grocery Company after 49-year career; interim CEO named
Published 3:33 pm Monday, March 2, 2026
Brad Brookshire, chairman and CEO of Brookshire Grocery Company, has retired after a 49-year career.
“From growing up in this company and watching my grandfather lead the company, to stepping into the shoes myself, it has been the greatest honor to be chairman and CEO of Brookshire Grocery Company,” Brookshire said.
Jerry LeClair, chief operating officer, will assume the role of interim CEO, BGC announced Monday.
Brookshire concluded his distinguished career defined by servant leadership, community commitment and long-term growth of the family-owned company, BGC said in a statement.
Brookshire, grandson of the company founder W.T. Brookshire, served the company for 49 years, including 20 years as chairman of the board and 10 years as CEO. Under Brookshire’s leadership as CEO, BGC said it expanded its store count, strengthened its culture of innovation and customer service and deepened its longstanding commitment to the communities it serves across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
“BGC’s success has always been driven by our employee-partners, our customers and our communities, and I’m thankful for the support that has carried this company forward for nearly a century,” Brookshire said.
BGC, a regional family-owned grocery business since 1928, operates more than 220 stores in four states with three distribution centers, employing more than 17,000 individuals.
In his time with the company, Brookshire served in all areas of the business in roles including store director, vice president, executive vice president and president before becoming CEO. Brookshire was credited as instrumental in the development of the Super 1 Foods banner over 41 years ago. During Brookshire’s time as CEO, the company established and expanded the banner of Spring Market, acquired the Reasor’s banner in Tulsa, Oklahoma and expanded the Super 1 Foods and FRESH by Brookshire’s banners.
In total, the company grew from 152 to 222 stores and improved its standing stores through remodels, new technology and partnerships with well-known national companies. The company supported 175 communities through times of celebration and crisis including winter storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and the COVID-19 pandemic. Brookshire helped establish the Heroes Flight program, which escorted around 600 veterans on 21 all-expenses-paid trips to Washington D.C. to honor them for their service and sacrifice. He also spearheaded the Focus on the Future Scholarship program, which gave a more than $1 million scholarship endowment to over 45 universities and colleges in the communities that have BGC stores.
Brookshire was inducted into the Food Industry Hall of Fame in 2020 and received the Food Industry Association’s Sidney R. Rabb award in 2024, which is the grocery industry’s highest honor. He also represented the grocery industry in Texas on Governor Greg Abbott’s Strike Force to Open Texas during the pandemic in 2020.
LeClair, who joined the company as chief merchant officer in 2019, will serve as CEO in the interim. LeClair has more than 40 years in the grocery business and was promoted to chief operating officer last year, leading the retail operations, marketing, category management, merchandising, fuel, logistics and facility services.
“Brad’s leadership has shaped BGC in profound and lasting ways,” LeClair said. “He has led with integrity, humility, and a genuine care for people, ensuring that BGC continues to thrive while honoring the company’s heritage. Brad strengthened the foundation laid by our company founder and we are determined to continue his legacy.”
BGC will recognize Brookshire’s contributions later this spring with a celebration event to honor his years of service and commemorate his retirement.
“As a team, we will remain focused on serving our customers and supporting our employee-partners,” LeClair said.
For more information about Brookshire Grocery Company, visit www.brookshires.com/sm/pickup/rsid/1928/about-us.
