WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Austin native Jeff Mueller has gone from part time checker to a vice president at Hy-Vee.

Hy-Vee recently promoted Mueller to district vice president of its western district. Mueller formerly served as assistant vice president of operations for Hy-Vee’s western district.

Mueller began his Hy-Vee career in 1988 as a part-time checker in Austin. He became a full-time employee by 1991 and was assigned to his first store director position in 2007 at the Stony Brook Boulevard Hy-Vee in Omaha, Nebraska. Mueller returned to Minnesota to run the Marshall store in 2011. Earlier this year, he was promoted to the position of assistant vice president of operations.

“I am very pleased to move Jeff to this new level of recognition and responsibility. He is a great leader in our company, and I look forward to all he will achieve,” said Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee chairman, CEO and president, in a press release.

The promotion was announced last month at the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting. Thirty-four employees were promoted, including nine at group vice president, four at assistant vice president and three at senior vice president.