Best Buy evp named Advance Auto ceo

ROANOKE, Va. Darren Jackson, currently evp of customer operating groups for Best Buy, will be joining Advance Auto Parts as president and ceo effective Jan. 7, 2008. Jackson, who has been a member of the Advance Auto Parts board of directors since 2004, and will remain on the board, will replace interim president and ceo, John Brouillard. Brouillard, who also joined the Advance Auto Parts board in 2004, will assume the position of non-executive chairman.

As evp of customer operating groups, Jackson leads Best Buy’s entertainment, PC mobility and home solutions operating groups and also has oversight for enterprise merchandising. In addition, he oversees Best Buy Financial Services, Best Buy for Business, Magnolia Audio Video and Pacific Sales. Jackson joined Best Buy in 2000. He was named evp of finance and cfo in 2001 and began transitioning into his current position earlier in 2007.

“Advance Auto Parts has a great team of 45,000 members, a strong franchise, and an industry leading store format with a long runway for expansion,” said Jackson. “Our opportunity is to set the standard of excellence for the customer experience in the commercial and do-it-yourself businesses. Our goal is to become the industry leader through a relentless focus on the customer. We expect to achieve our goal by expanding and innovating around customer needs, being a strong customer advocate and maximizing the talents of our team members. I’m honored to have this opportunity, eagerly await the ride ahead and look forward to working with the Advance Auto Parts team as well as the board.”