Photo captured from MassLive video
For the first time since he himself was fired, Arthur T. Demoulas has issued a statement. That statement, however, does not address his own termination, but rather that of three longtime colleagues of the supermarket chain he ran until his own firing last week.
Paul Quigley, Adam Deschene and Esteban Alvarez were fired this week, after being suspended in July for what the Market Basket Board of Directors termed as “disruptive behavior.” Combined, the three have nearly a century of experience with the company.
“These firings are alarming in that they continue to break down the fabric of Market Basket,” Demoulas writes in the statement sent to InsideLowell. “Paul Quigley, Adam Deschene, and Esteban Alvarez are three exceptional men who each dedicated their professional lives to Market Basket. They are talented grocery store operators who are tremendous contributors to Market Basket’s success and to its culture. They are well respected and admired colleagues. Paul Quigley devoted 44 years to Market Basket and as a Regional District Supervisor, he played a central role in the development of all stores on the South Shore of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Adam devoted 19 years to Market Basket and Esteban 30 years, each holding a stellar track record in the Operations Department. These terminations are disheartening and a major loss for the Market Basket team.”
Demoulas, who had was placed on leave on May 28 and eventually let go on September 10, has yet to issue a statement about his own termination. Spokesperson Justine Griffin issued the only response from Artie T.’s side in the wake of the popular Chief Executive Officer’s firing.
Earlier this week, the board announced Don Mulligan as Interim CEO. Mulligan had been the chain’s Chief Financial Officer previously.
6 responses to “More Firings Prompt First Demoulas Response Since His Own”
When Market Basket business declines, and it will the board will have nobody but themselves and the sister’s to blame for it. Their selfish greed will do them in. Their employees and customers are extremely loyal to Artie. He understood his customer’s base. It’s what’s made Market Basket the success that it is. Artie and the 3 managers will be missed. Just Saying
Already you can see the difference in a local market basket ,with the price and the non availability of merchandise which is leaving empty shelf’s .
I’m disgusted that the sisters learned nothing from the 2014 disruption @ MB. They’ve chosen to ruin a wonderful long standing business. I’ll miss MB for its prices, proximity and core values. I’ve stopped shopping there and will not go back without Artie T. nor after it is sold to outsiders. The board ought to be ashamed of themselves for their behavior.
Watch out Market Basket there is a new player in town. BigY has opened in Westborough. This is closer for me than Shrewsbury so if things change I will change where I’ll do my shopping as well. So far no intention to change.
I have become quite weary of the Demoulas family drama that has been playing out in public for almost 40 years. Many have quickly decided it’s all about the money. But let’s face it, the entire family has more money than most of us could ever dream of. From the beginning, the core of all their drama has been about control. This latest version of their saga bears that out. No one can argue that Market Basket has thrived under Arthur’s leadership or that we have all benefitted from their success. But he’s an old man who will ultimately be replaced sooner rather than later given his age. Any company of that size has bylaws that dictate the roles of the Board and the executive, including strategic planning, CEO oversight, financial stability and succession. From all I have read it seems that Arthur does not feel he needs to adhere to them just because he is successful and well liked. That attitude puts too much control in the hands of the executive instead of the shared responsibility any CEO should have with its Board. We don’t know what went on in mediation. But I think the Board is fulfilling its role to actually share responsibility for Market Basket’s operations and future success. Let’s hope they will recognize the corporate management and company culture that has made Market Basket so successful so it will continue long into the future.
It just another example of how family orientated people who have respected moral values in their community and church, can metamorphasize into someone completely different because of money and avarice. Two brothers, Telemachus and George, working at their father’s small grocery store on Dummer Street in Lowell Mass, grew the store into a sucessful small chain of stores that served their communities.
With the passing of co-founder George in 1971, Telemachus (Mike) ran the stores successfully for years for the 2 families. It was only when Many ke started to open new stores under the name “Market Basket” and claiming these were a separate grocery buisness that the feud between the families began. I have no inside knowledge to their claim but had the opportunity, through Greek friends, to meet the man and shake his hand. The many stories of his generosity, including donating the money to fix the beautiful Eastern Orthodox “Holy Trinity’s” golden domed church, are well known. Isn’t it sad what happened to these people and their children because of money….