New top dog at Petco

Petco is losing its longtime chairman and CEO.



Jim Myers, a 26-year company veteran and CEO since 2004, is retiring. Petco pesident and chief merchant Brad Weston, who joined the company in 2011, will succeed Myers as CEO, effective February 1, 2017.



Prior to joining Petco, Weston held senior leadership roles at Dick's Sporting Goods, May Merchandising Company and Robinsons-May.



"There is no one better than Brad to lead Petco as we continue to be pet parents' trusted partner of choice, and continue to evolve and grow as a leader in the pet specialty business,” said Meyers. "I look forward to serving the company in an advisory capacity and as a board member going forward.”



Myers joined Petco in 1990 and has been a key leader in building and growing the company from a regional player into a leading national pet specialty retail chain with more than 1,470 Petco and Unleashed by Petco stores in the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico.



In November 2015, Petco was sold in a $4.6 billion deal to CVC Capital Partners and the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board.



"A key factor in the decision that we and CPPIB made to invest in Petco last year was its strong bench of leadership talent to drive future growth,” said Cameron Breitner, partner of CVC. "In his five years with Petco, Brad Weston has clearly proven his ability to lead Petco forward in its ongoing commitment to meet the needs of pet parents across all demographics and expand in new and innovative ways. We are very glad that Jim Myers will remain an important part of Petco's future and are excited for Brad as he takes this step forward."