Chris DeJong

Background

Chris DeJong began his three-decade career with Costco in 1995 as a Front End Assistant at #10 in Anchorage, Alaska. Over the next three decades, he advanced through numerous leadership roles across three Northwest Region markets. In 2010, Chris was promoted to General Manager at #1059 in Warrenton, Oregon, followed by a transfer to #08 in Kirkland, Washington, in 2015. In 2022, he successfully opened the #1588 location in Lake Stevens, Washington. In 2024, Chris was promoted to his current role as Regional Operating Manager and Vice President, where he oversees Northwest District 2 across Oregon and Washington.

“50 Years of Costco: The Evolution of Retail Excellence”

Tracing its lineage back to the founding of Price Club in San Diego in 1976 and the launch of the first Costco warehouse in Seattle in 1983, this presentation celebrates half a century of disruptive retail innovation. It explores how a simple, membership-based warehouse model transformed global commerce through unmatched value, relentless operational efficiency, an unwavering commitment to quality, and an iconic workplace culture.