Former legal head returns to Lowe’s

Mooresville, N.C. - Ross W. (Bill) McCanless will be joining Lowe’s Companies Inc. as general counsel, secretary and chief compliance officer, effective Jan. 12, 2015. McCanless will replace Gaither M. Keener, who announced plans to retire from the company following 30 years of service.

McCanless is returning to Lowe's top legal role, a position he held from 2003 to 2006, after serving as chief legal officer, general counsel and secretary for hotel operators Extended Stay America Inc. and ESH Hospitality Inc. In his new role, McCanless will be responsible for directing all legal matters for Lowe's and its subsidiaries as well as advising the chairman and board of directors on corporate governance matters.

In addition to his previous legal experience, McCanless served in a number of executive management positions with Delhaize/Food Lion, including senior VP, general counsel, secretary and chief administrative officer. He served as Delhaize America's president and CEO (from 1999 until 2002) as well as CEO of the Food Lion subsidiary during the same tenure. Prior to joining Food Lion, he spent seven years in private law practice in Salisbury, N.C.