URM Foods Inc. CEO Ray Sprinkle plans to retire in July of 2025, the Spokane-based, member-owned grocery distributor has announced. 

The company expects to begin its search for Sprinkle's replacement at the beginning of next year. 

A 50-year veteran of the grocery industry, Sprinkle joined URM in 2003 as vice president of procurement, retail services, and profit centers. Ten years later, the company's board of directors appointed him as president and CEO of URM and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Rosauers Supermarkets and Peirone Produce. 

A URM release states that the company's sales have increased 53% and its membership rebates have surged by 232% during tenure.

According to the Journal's most recent list of Spokane County's Largest Employers, the company employed just over 2,800 people as of Nov. 1. Of those, about 1,570 worked in the county, ranking it 12th among all employers and fifth among nongovernment entities. 

In addition to leading URM, Sprinkle has served on the boards of Second Harvest Inland Northwest, Feeding Washington, National Grocers Association, Retailer Owned Food Distributors, and Washington Food Industry Association.