The former chief merchandising and marketing officer at Walmart has joined a Midwestern chain of farm and home stores as its new CEO.
Mills Fleet Farm announced that former Walmart executive and Wisconsin native Duncan Mac Naughton will assume the role of CEO of the company now that it has been acquired by KKR, a global investment firm.
Also effective as part of the transaction close, Hugh Leasum, currently a member of Mills Fleet Farm’s executive management team, will assume the role of COO. Outside of these appointments, Mills Fleet Farm’s existing executive management team will continue to perform their roles and manage the business.
“Mills Fleet Farm is a beloved Midwest retailer that has upheld the Mills family principles over the last 60 years,” said Leasum. “We are excited to welcome Duncan back to his native Wisconsin and to the Mills Fleet Farm team. We are confident that Duncan Mac Naughton, in partnership with the outstanding executive team already in place, will drive the company's continued growth, while preserving the Mills’ values of honesty, integrity, hard work, service and loyalty."
Duncan Mac Naughton brings a record of more than 30 years of experience in the retail sector. He first joined Walmart in 2009 where he soon oversaw all merchandise categories across more than 3,700 stores in the U.S. as chief merchandising and marketing officer. Before joining Walmart, Mac Naughton held a number of leadership roles at Supervalu Inc., Alberton’s, H-E-B Grocery Company and Kraft Foods Group, Inc.
“I am honored to lead Mills Fleet Farm, a true legacy brand in the Midwest and one that I have grown up with since my early days in Wisconsin,” said Mac Naughton. “In partnership with the executive management team and KKR, I look forward to furthering the opportunities for growth that lie ahead for Mills Fleet Farm and continuing to invest significantly in the business, adding infrastructure, stores, and local jobs.”
Mills Fleet Farm is a Midwestern, value-based retailer of lifestyle merchandise serving suburban and farm consumers. The company operates 35 stores located throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota.