News Feature | January 30, 2014

PetSmart Creates Four New Executive Vice President Positions

Source: Retail Solutions Online

By Kara Murphy, contributing writer, Integrated Solutions For Retailers

Changes come as part of structural changes after retirement of president and COO

PetSmart is creating a new position, the “executive vice president of customer experience, strategic planning and corporate development,” as it continues to focus on developing growth strategies across its platforms.The marketing, strategic planning and corporate development departments will report to the new executive vice president. The company is undertaking an external search to fill the new role.

In addition, the company has created three other executive vice president positions. Those positions have already been filled. They are:

  • Carrie Teffner, currently senior vice president of finance and the company’s chief financial officer, will now serve as executive vice president and CFO and oversee the finance and IS departments. A new chief information officer will report directly to Teffner.
  • Matt McAdam, currently senior vice president of merchandising, will now serve as executive vice president of merchandising and real estate.
  • Bruce Thorn, currently senior vice president of store operations and services, will now serve as executive vice president of store operations, services and supply chain.

All four EVPs will report directly to David Lenhardt, who has assumed the role of PetSmart’s president and chief executive officer.

The changes in management structure were made in conjunction with the retirement of Joseph O’Leary, president and chief operating officer for the past eight years. His retirement and the management changes will be effective in April.

“Joe has been an integral part of PetSmart’s success for many years and we wish him all the best moving forward,” Lenhardt said.

PetSmart does not intend to replace the COO position and will realign O’Leary’s responsibilities among the four newly created executive vice president positions. with Lenhardt assuming the title of President and CEO.

“Joe’s retirement has provided the opportunity to take a fresh look at our organizational structure and establish a senior leadership team that will best position PetSmart for future growth,” Lenhardt said.

PetSmart employs 54,000 people and operates 1,314 stores.

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