Advance Auto Parts exec to take reins at Leslie's
Pool and spa supplies retailer Leslie’s, Inc. has announced a shakeup to its C-suite.
The company has named Jason McDonell as its next chief executive, effective Sept. 9, as former CEO Mike Egeck is departing from the retailer. John Strain, Leslie’s chairman of the board, has been appointed interim CEO until McDonell assumes the role.
McDonell has nearly 30 years of experience in retail and consumer products. He most recently served as executive VP of merchandising, marketing and e-commerce at Advance Auto Parts, where he was responsible for driving omnichannel growth across the company’s family of brands and managing more than 200 global suppliers and products and a global team of professionals.
Prior to joining the auto parts retailer in 2019, he spent 21 years with PepsiCo in positions of increasing responsibility, culminating with his role as Canada president and general manager for PepsiCo Food, where he was responsible for the Canadian Frito-Lay and Quaker businesses. He began his career in brand management at Procter & Gamble.
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“I am pleased to welcome Jason as the next CEO of Leslie’s and look forward to working with him,” said Strain. “He brings to Leslie’s an impressive combination of retail and consumer products expertise, including a track record of building and growing industry-leading brands. His wealth of knowledge at the nexus of product, brand and marketing, combined with his operational experience and proven leadership abilities, make him well-suited to lead Leslie’s into its next chapter.”
Founded in 1963, Leslie’s offers customers pool chemicals and equipment, toys & games, apparel, patio furniture and more. The chain operates more than 1,000 stores nationwide in addition to its e-commerce business.
“Leslie’s has an impressive foundation with its advantaged omnichannel platform, strong market position and superior customer service, and I am excited to be joining Leslie’s at this exciting time in the company’s history,” said McDonell. “I have deep respect for the talented Leslie’s team, which has laid the groundwork to deliver sustainable growth as the pool industry normalizes, and I look forward to working with them to build on the company’s efforts to drive long-term value creation.”
