Early Life
Michael Teel is the grandson of Tom Raley, who founded Raley's supermarket chain in 1935. He learned the grocery business from a young age. He attended Whittier College, where he earned a bachelor's degree.
Rise to Success
Michael Teel became the CEO of Raley's in 1998, later returning to the company in 2010 as president & CEO. In 2015, he became the majority owner, beginning the company's third generation of family ownership. Under his leadership, Raley's has expanded and adapted to changing consumer preferences, including eliminating tobacco sales and focusing on healthier food options.
Key Business Strategies
Teel has been instrumental in developing strategies to enhance the shopping experience and build the Raley's brand. The company has focused on innovation, including eliminating private-label sugar-laden sodas, sourcing sustainable seafood, and promoting healthier choices. Raley's has also expanded through acquisitions, including Bashas' Family of Stores, which broadened its operational reach to over 235 locations across multiple states.
Philanthropy
Joyce Raley Teel, Michael's mother, established the Thomas P. Raley Foundation in 1995 for family philanthropic endeavors. In 1986, with Raley's CEO emeritus Charles Collings, they started Food For Families, a non-profit that provides food to those in need.