Hardware retailer names new CEO
Westlake Ace Hardware has made some executive changes.
The hardware retailer, which operates 121 stores, appointed Joe Jeffries as president and CEO. He succeeds Tom Knox, who retired as CEO on March 30.
Jeffries was previously president and COO of Westlake. Prior to joining Westlake in 2014, he was CEO of A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts. Jeffries also held management positions with Office Depot and Home Quarters Warehouse.
In other changes, Andrew Schmitt has assumed the role of VP and COO. Schmitt joined Westlake in 2017 as VP of operations. Prior to that, he was a director of Retail Operations – Western Division for Ace Hardware. Before joining Ace in 2010, he held finance and procurement positions with Factory Card and Party Outlet and Allstate Insurance Company.
New CEO Jeffries take reins at Westlake during a key growth period in its 113-year history. Westlake pointed to the following recent developments:
• On March 26, Westlake finalized its purchase of The Dennis Company, a five-store retail hardware chain in coastal southwest Washington.
• In February, the company formally acquired Seaboard Ace Hardware in Raleigh, N.C.
• In January, the company finalized its acquisition of the seven-store Buikema’s Ace in the Chicagoland area.
The hardware retailer, which operates 121 stores, appointed Joe Jeffries as president and CEO. He succeeds Tom Knox, who retired as CEO on March 30.
Jeffries was previously president and COO of Westlake. Prior to joining Westlake in 2014, he was CEO of A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts. Jeffries also held management positions with Office Depot and Home Quarters Warehouse.
In other changes, Andrew Schmitt has assumed the role of VP and COO. Schmitt joined Westlake in 2017 as VP of operations. Prior to that, he was a director of Retail Operations – Western Division for Ace Hardware. Before joining Ace in 2010, he held finance and procurement positions with Factory Card and Party Outlet and Allstate Insurance Company.
New CEO Jeffries take reins at Westlake during a key growth period in its 113-year history. Westlake pointed to the following recent developments:
• On March 26, Westlake finalized its purchase of The Dennis Company, a five-store retail hardware chain in coastal southwest Washington.
• In February, the company formally acquired Seaboard Ace Hardware in Raleigh, N.C.
• In January, the company finalized its acquisition of the seven-store Buikema’s Ace in the Chicagoland area.