More exec changes at Lowe’s
MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Lowe’s personnel changes are becoming hard to keep up with. At the end of last month, the company announced the retirement of long-time president and COO Lary Stone -- along with the news of several executive changes in the areas of merchandising, store operations and strategic planning -- then yesterday announces another round of executive promotions, including a replacement for the post vacated by Robert Gfeller Jr., who was recently promoted to EVP merchandising.
Troy J. Dally has been promoted to Gfeller's old job -- SVP and general merchandising manager-hardlines/building products. Dally joined Lowe’s in 1999 and has served as merchandising VP millwork for nearly five years following seven years in other areas of the building materials division. He has nearly 20 years of home improvement experience.
Lowe's also announced Maureen K. Ausura was promoted to EVP human resources, having served as SVP in the same capacity since joining the company in 2005. She oversees all aspects of human resources, including employee recruitment and benefits for Lowe’s approximately 238,000 employees in North America. Ausura has more than 25 years of human resources experience.
Gaither M. Keener has been promoted to EVP, general counsel, secretary and chief compliance officer, having served as SVP in the same capacity since 2006. He began his career at Lowe’s in 1985. Keener directs and determines all legal and compliance matters for the company and its subsidiaries.
Ausura and Keener will continue reporting to Robert A. Niblock, chairman and CEO.
Lowe's announced two other promotions:
• William L. (Leroy) Allen has been promoted to SVP logistics, replacing Rick D. Damron, who was recently promoted to EVP store operations. Allen joined Lowe’s in 2003 as VP logistics flow and support and served more recently in the corporate supply chain organization as VP logistics planning and forecasting.
• Everett B. (Britt) Dayton has been promoted to SVP IT business management, after previously serving in store operations support as VP store delivery fleet operations. In his new role, he will work across Lowe’s business areas on IT strategy, architecture, program management and prioritization to ensure successful delivery of technology to support the company’s business objectives. Prior to joining Lowe’s in 2003, Dayton worked for more than 20 years in retail supply chain development and information systems.
It remains to be seen how the executive changes at Lowe’s will impact its financial performance in the future, especially considering that it has no plans to fill the president and COO position following Stone’s retirement in June. The company is expected to report it fourth-quarter results on Feb. 23, calling for diluted earnings per share of 16 cents to 19 cents and same-store sales growth of 0% to 2%.