Midwest retailer names new CEO, chief stores officer
Blain’s Farm & Fleet has announced new C-suite changes, including to the top leadership position.
Mark Hasting has been named CEO and president of the Midwest retailer. Jane Blain Gilbertson, current CEO of the family-owned business, will take on a new role as executive chair of the board and will remain the sole owner of Blain’s Farm & Fleet and Blain Supply. The transition will take place over the next several months and will complete in September.
"We will transition over the summer, allowing me to visit every one of our 45 beloved stores and each of our distribution centers,” said Gilbertson, who took over as CEO in 2014. “
Hasting was originally hired in 2020 as chief stores officer with responsibility for store and auto service center operations. In 2022, he was promoted to chief commerce & operating officer, by which time his responsibilities had grown to include e-commerce operations, real estate, construction and facilities, and customer service.
Last year, Hastings was promoted to president and chief commerce & operating officer adding both demand planning and supply chain to his responsibilities while also taking on a greater strategic role in the leadership of the company.
Prior to joining Blain’s Farm & Fleet, Hasting spent over 20 years at Target, where he had many roles including group VP and VP of store operations. He has also served as regional VP at Starbucks and chief operating officer at Kum & Go.
“I am humbled and excited to take on this new role,” said Hasting. “It is my desire to continue the family culture to support the growth of Blain’s Farm & Fleet and our associates.”
In addition to Hasting, Kim Treece, who was previously senior VP of stores, is also being promoted. Treece will now serve as chief stores officer with responsibility for all stores and auto service centers, real estate, construction and facilities, and the customer service. Before joining Blain’s Farm & Fleet last year, she spent nearly 25 years with Walgreens in a number of roles.
“I chose Kim to fill my previous role due to her enthusiasm and positive influence on store associates,” said Hasting. “Kim has a strong background in retail, but it is her compassionate leadership that makes her really shine.”
Founded in 1955, Blain’s Farm & Fleet operates 45 store locations throughout Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan. The company employs approximately 3,500 to 5,500 people.