Castoldi Resigns As President Of Yoke’s Grocery Chain Ten-Year Veteran Leaves Job ‘To Pursue Other Interests’

Dennis Castoldi, president and chief operating officer of Yoke’s Pac ‘n’ Save supermarket chain, has resigned, saying he wants time “to pursue other interests.”

Castoldi, who in 10 years went from store manager to head of the chain of eight Spokane and North Idaho supermarkets, resigned Aug. 26. He said he was not forced out.

“Sometimes you just have to do something for yourself, and I thought I deserved a little time off,” Castoldi said from his home. However, the 56-year-old executive said he was unsure what he would do next.

Jim Clanton, Yoke’s chief financial officer, said company officials have begun searching for a new president.

As the senior officer, Clanton has temporarily assumed responsibilities of the president. Chuck Yoke, chairman of the board, also has returned to the office to help run the company, Clanton said.

Yoke’s is owned by its more than 700 employees under an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The ESOP in 1990 borrowed $11.5 million to buy the company from Chuck Yoke.

Richard Phenneger, president of Phenneger & Morgan Inc., administrator of the ESOP, said ownership of the company is not affected by Castoldi’s resignation.

Castoldi was named president in 1992. Two years later, URM Stores Inc., a North Spokane grocery wholesaler, invested $10 million in Yoke’s to help it expand into Airway Heights and Deer Park, and rebuild its Indian Trails Road store.

Castoldi is the second president of a major Spokane supermarket chain to resign this year.

Tidyman’s Inc. President Jack Heuston resigned in April shortly before the company laid off 83 employees.

, DataTimes