Advance Auto names former Lowe’s exec to run supply chain

A changing of the guard is taking place at the top of Advance Auto Parts’ supply chain organization.

Reuben E. Slone, executive VP, supply chain, Advance Auto Parts Inc., will retire from the company and be succeeded by Stephen J. Szilagyi. Szilagyi comes to Advance Auto from MSC Industrial Supply Inc., where he served as senior VP, customer solutions from 2018 to 2021 and senior VP, supply chain from 2017 to 2018.

Prior to that, Szilagyi spent 15 years with Lowe’s Companies Inc., in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility, including chief supply chain officer from 2013 to 2016. He will begin as executive VP, chief supply chain officer, and join the automotive aftermarket parts retailer’s leadership team on Jan. 9, 2023.

“We are extremely grateful for the numerous contributions Reuben has made, first as a board member of Advance from 2016 to 2018 and then as a member of Advance’s senior executive team since October 2018,” said Tom Greco, Advance Auto president and CEO. “With his wealth of experience and deep understanding of our business, under Reuben’s leadership, we have significantly improved our supply chain operations. Reuben also has built a much stronger team and culture within the supply chain organization, making it an optimum time to make a leadership transition.

“I’m excited to welcome Steve to the Advance family following an extensive search,” said Greco. “As a seasoned and accomplished supply chain executive with more than 25 years of experience, Steve brings a deep understanding of both retail and professional business-to-business supply chain operations along with a proven track record of results, innovation and leadership. I look forward to working closely with him as we raise the bar on the execution of our strategy.”

Szilagyi will report directly to Greco. Slone and Szilagyi will partner to ensure a smooth transition, while Slone works with the Advance team in an advisory role through April 2023.

[Read more: Advance Auto Parts rolls out new store concept for independent owners]

Advance Auto Parts Inc. is an automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers. As of Oct. 8, 2022, the company operated 4,747 stores and 313 Worldpac branches primarily within the U.S., with additional locations in Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The company also served 1,335 independently owned Carquest branded stores across these locations, in addition to Mexico and various Caribbean islands.