Walter Craig Jelinek
Born (1952-08-08) August 8, 1952
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma materSan Diego State University
OccupationBusinessman
Known forPresident and CEO of Costco, 2012–2023

Walter Craig Jelinek (born August 8, 1952) is an American businessman who served as president and CEO of Costco from 2012 to 2023, when he succeeded the company's founder, James Sinegal.

Early life

On August 8, 1952, Jelinek was born in Los Angeles, California to Walter Adolph Jelinek and Erdene Gordon.[1][2] His father was of Czech descent (the surname is derived from Jelínek, which is common in the country).[3] In 1970, Jelinek graduated from Antelope Valley High School.[4][5][6]

Education

In 1975, Jelinek earned a bachelor's degree from San Diego State University.[4]

Career

Jelinek started his career at FedMart and was later an operations manager for the company in Los Angeles.[5][7] In 1981, Jelinek joined Lucky Stores.[8]

He joined Costco as a warehouse manager in 1984 and was later the manager of the company's Northwest region after the Price Club merger. Jelinek became the company's executive president of merchandising in 2004.[7] He joined the company's board in 2010 amid speculation that he was being prepared to take over as CEO. Jelinek was named president in 2010 and took over as CEO in 2012 after the retirement of founder James Sinegal.[9][10][11]

Jelinek also sits on Costco Wholesale UK Ltd's board.[12]

In 2018, Jelinek's annual base salary was $800,000 as stated by the Puget Sound Business Journal.[13] His base salary increased to $1,000,000 in 2020; that same year, Jelinek's total compensation was $8,279,552 per an SEC filing by Costco.[14]

Jelinek announced in October 2023 that he would step down as Costco CEO at the end of the year; he is set to be replaced by Ron Vachris, the chief operating officer and president.[10]

Awards

  • 2019 Peter G. Peterson Business Statesmanship Award. Presented by Committee for Economic Development.[15]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jelinek (1952). "California Birth Index, 1905-1995". FamilySearch.
  2. ↑ Jelinek (1951). "California, County Marriages, 1850-1953". FamilySearch.
  3. ↑ Jelinek (1920). "United States Census, 1920". FamilySearch.
  4. 1 2 "Craig Jelinek". Marquis Who's Who. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  5. 1 2 "W Craig Jelinek". BoardroomInsiders.
  6. ↑ "Costco CEO Craig Jelinek added to Outlook Conference". theavtimes.com. November 27, 2012. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  7. 1 2 Allison, Melissa (February 2, 2010). "Costco names apparent heir to CEO Sinegal". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Inside the career of Costco CEO Craig Jelinek, who's worked with the warehouse club almost since its birth". businessinsider.com. March 17, 2019. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  9. ↑ Allison, Melissa (April 10, 2011). "In Person: Costco president Craig Jelinek keeps a low profile". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Geraldo, Renata (October 18, 2023). "Costco CEO Craig Jelinek to step down, hand the reins to longtime insider". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Executive Profile: W. Craig Jelinek". Bloomberg. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Business Leaders". Market Screener. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  13. ↑ Cain, Aine (March 17, 2019). "Inside the career of Costco CEO Craig Jelinek, who's worked with the warehouse club almost since its birth". Business Insider. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Proxy Statement pursuant to section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934". Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Craig Jelinek". ced.org. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
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