Stinker Stores CEO Nate Brazier has announced that he will step down from his role as president and CEO of the Boise, Idaho-based chain to “focus on (his) family and reflect on what’s next,” Brazier wrote in a LinkedIn post Tuesday.
“Leading this organization has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional career. Over the past six years, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside an exceptional team of people who care deeply about our guests, our communities and each other,” the post read. “Together we strengthened operations, expanded our footprint, built an outstanding leadership team and continued building on a remarkable legacy.”
Brazier noted that his crowning achievement from the past six years has been supporting and building the company’s culture to the point where it is now, grounded in “collaboration, accountability, innovation and a shared commitment to doing the right thing.”
“Great businesses are built by great people, and I’ve been fortunate to work with many of the best,” he continued. “I’m deeply grateful for every team member, partner, mentor and friend who has been part of this journey. Thank you for your energy, support and the countless lessons along the way.”
Stinker Stores noted that Brazier has been “instrumental” in its development as a company.
Six Years of Growth and Innovation
Brazier joined Stinker in 2020 as VP of operations. He went on to serve as president and chief operating officer before taking the helm as CEO of the company in May 2024 following the retirement of late owner and CEO Charley Jones.
As CEO, Brazier has worked to emphasize and enhance the chain’s people-first culture. He strengthened Stinker Stores’ leadership team, revamped its new-hire training program, and appointed a dedicated training and development manager to ensure consistent onboarding.
The chain has seen a noticeable decrease in turnover thanks to its commitment to culture.
“When I think about operation excellence, I think about our people, and we empower our people to live our purpose every single day … that is to make our world a better place, one employee, one customer, one community at a time by being a bright spot. We empower our people, our leaders in the stores, to do exactly that,” he told CStore Decisions in November.
In large part due to Brazier’s efforts as CEO for the past six years, CStore Decisions named Stinker Stores its 2025 Chain of the Year — one of the highest honors in the industry.
Brazier noted that the recognition was not only a reflection of the chain’s achievements, but “a celebration of the Stinkin’ awesome people who make up our team — our amazing employees, loyal customers and supportive partners.”
“During (Brazier’s) tenure, he’s played a critical role in shaping who we are today, growing and strengthening our operations, expanding our footprint, and building a strong leadership team committed to delivering exceptional experiences for our guests and communities,” according to an internal communication to the Stinker Stores team that was shared with CStore Decisions. “We are especially grateful for the culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation that Nate has helped foster. These foundations position us well for continued success in the years ahead.”
