Retzloff forced out as CEO of Alfalfa’s Market

BOULDER — Mark Retzloff has been forced out as chief executive of Alfafa’s Market  over what he says “is a difference of opinion” with the company’s top management.

Retzloff, one of the original co-founders of the natural and organic market, said one of the main differences was over his leadership style, which he categorized as “collaborative and caring. …  I hire good quality people, expect them to perform, give them respect, and mentor and guide them,” he said Monday by phone. “The top three guys on the board, didn’t agree with my style,” he said. When asked, he said the disagreements were with company directors Jimmy Searcy, Barney Feinblum and Hugo van Seenus. “I lost the vote,” he said, referring to his remaining CEO.

Retzloff, who is the company’s largest shareholder, owning 24 percent of the company, will remain on the board of directors.

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Searcy will assume the role of interim CEO and chairman of the board, effective immediately, according to a statement issued by the company. Searcy chose not to comment on the reasons why Retzloff was forced out. “I can’t get into that type of personal information,” he said Monday.

Searcy said he took the role of interim CEO and the request of board members.  “We’ll hire a CEO as soon as we find someone who can do the job,” he said. “That depends on who applies for the job and if they are qualified.” He said there is no set time frame to make the hire.

Retzloff co-founded Alfalfa’s  in 1979 along with Lyle Davis and Hass Hassan. Wild Oats acquired the company in 1996, which was acquired by Whole Foods in 2007. Retzloff and other investors revived Alfafa’s opening a store in 2011 at its original location at the corner of Arapahoe Avenue and Broadway in Boulder and has since opened an Alfalfa’s Louisville.

Searcy has been with the company since 2010 when the Alfalfa’s retail concept was brought back to Boulder with the reopening of its original store on Broadway and Arapahoe. He is co-founded the Lazy Acre retail store in Santa Barbara, Calif.

“We appreciate all that Mark has contributed in his leadership of Alfalfa’s, and are pleased to have his continued oversight and guidance as a board member,” Searcy said in a prepared statement.

Retzloff said the Alfalfa’s Market in Boulder is financially sound, and that the new store in Louisville is on track to become stable within a year.

“I’ve got a lot to keep me busy,” he said. “I’m on several boards and mentor young companies in the natural and organic industry. My daughter is getting married soon, and I will have time now to spend quality time with my family.”