Mike Puckhaber has been a part of the supermarket industry since 1967. Beginning at Market Basket in Los Angeles (Kroger) he worked his way through the operations side of the business including store management and back-stage support positions. In 1982 he was recruited by Ralphs Grocery Co. where he also held positions in store operations and backstage support, including acquisition integration and technology project management. In 1992 he assumed Ralph’s Area Research responsibilities and was promoted to Director in 1993. In addition to Area Research, Mike also served stints as Director of Planning and ended his tenure at Ralphs as Director of Strategy and Planning.
In 1997 Mike moved to Safeway Inc. as Manager of Real Estate research for the Vons Division (Arcadia CA). In 2000 he was promoted to Director of Real Estate Research, with responsibility for new store and fuel center location research for all of Safeway. Mike joined Area Research Associates following his 2014 retirement from Safeway.
Mike holds two Associate degrees at Mt. San Antonio College. He also attended The University of Southern California Food Industry Management program in 1976-7 holding the distinction of being voted the class Outstanding Student.