Ex-PetSmart CEO is At Home on new board

The At Home chain of home décor superstores continues to acquire senior leadership talent with public company experience which suggest a public stock offering could be in the company’s future.

The most recent addition involves the appointment of former PetSmart CEO and Chairman Phil Francis. who hasselected as an independent member of the At Home board of directors.

"We are pleased to welcome someone with Phil's background and expertise to our Board," said Lee Bird, CEO of At Home. "As we continue to extend the reach of the At Home brand and look to execute against the growth opportunities ahead, we look forward to benefiting from his extensive knowledge of the retail landscape and deep leadership experience."

Phil Francis brings 35 years of retail and wholesale experience in management positions to At Home. His most recent experience includes 15 years with PetSmart, Inc., where he served in multiple senior leadership positions, including Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. During his tenure as CEO, Francis helped grow the specialty pet retailer from 460 stores to a hugely successful 1,200-store chain.

Prior to PetSmart, Francis held various executive positions with Shaw's Supermarkets, Inc., including Chief Executive Officer and President. Previously, he held several senior management positions for Roundy's, Inc., a grocer in the Midwest; Cardinal Foods, Inc., a wholesale foods distribution arm of Cardinal Health; and the Jewel Companies, which operated combination food-and-drug stores. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for two other corporations, SUPERVALU and Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy.

Francis is also an active member of multiple nonprofit organizations including Teach For America, Greater Phoenix Leadership, UMOM (homeless) and the Arizona State Idea Enterprise. Previously, Francis served on the corporate Board of Directors for PetSmart Inc., Cardinal Health, Inc. and Carefusion.

At Home, the home décor superstore, was founded in Garden Ridge, Texas, outside of San Antonio, in 1979. It operates 80 stores nin 21 states.