Former Harps Food Chairman and CEO Rogers Collins dies

Springdale-based Harps Food Stores announced Tuesday (July 2) that former board Chairman and CEO Rogers Collins died on July 1. Collins began his career at Harps in December 1986 as vice president of finance. He was 75.

He was promoted to executive vice president in 1995, and would rise to CEO in 2000. He would retire as board chairman in 2018.

“Under Roger’s guidance, Harps transitioned from being family-owned to employee-owned in 2001. Following the retirement of Gerald Harp, Roger took on the roles of Chairman and CEO, leading Harps through the first 15 years of employee ownership. His tenure was marked by remarkable growth and success, with the number of locations expanding from 42 to 82 and sales increasing by 110%,” the company noted in a statement.

“Roger will be remembered for transforming our company culture and for his indomitable competitive spirit. His passion for excellence, integrity, and a people-first approach inspired everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him. Roger was not just a leader; he was a mentor, a friend, and a source of inspiration. We owe him a great deal, as today we stand on his shoulders as employee owners with a bright future made possible by the foundation he helped forge.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Roger’s daughters, Lauren and Lindsey, as well as his extended family during this difficult time.”

Founded by Harvard and Floy Harp in Springdale in 1930, Harps Food Stores is one of the state’s largest employee-owned companies with more than 7,200 employees. It operates 149 stores throughout Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana and Kansas.