Harps Food Stores promotes two to director roles

Springdale-based Harps Food Stores Inc. announced Monday (Aug. 21) the promotion of Dean Payton to director of the company’s new 10Box division and Mike Roberts to director of produce operations.

Roberts is succeeding Dennis Baker, who is retiring in August.

Payton has been a district manager for the past 14 years and before that a store manager for eight years. He is a graduate of Van Buren High School and is a member of New Life Church in Fort Smith and the Arkansas Dream Center.

“Dean has truly been instrumental in the successful rollout of our new 10Box format,” Eskew said. “I am excited for Dean to be able to devote his full attention to this exciting new Harps venture and look forward to his leadership in this new division.”

Roberts most recently served as a produce merchandiser and before that as a produce manager. He is a graduate of North Little Rock Northeast High School and is a member of the Southeast Produce Council and the Produce Marketing Association.

He is also a member of Produce for Kids, Fort Smith Antioch Food Bank and the Fort Smith Community Health Council. He has completed numerous training programs and most recently attended the National Grocer’s Association Cornell University Executive Leadership Program.

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to lead our produce department and look forward to guiding us in the right direction,” Roberts said. “To be able to do what I have a real passion for with such wonderful people at a great organization like Harps is a tremendous honor.”