PetSmart president and COO to retire; announces management changes

Phoenix -- PetSmart Inc. announced changes to its management team in conjunction with the retirement of its president and COO, Joseph O’Leary.



PetSmart CEO, David Lenhardt, will assume the title of president and CEO when O’Leary steps down. The company will not replace the COO position. Instead it will realign the responsibilities among four newly created executive VP positions, with Lenhardt assuming the title of president and CEO, with the changes effective April 4, 2014.

In addition, PetSmart will conduct a search for a new CIO to replace Don Beaver, who will also retire.



“Joe’s retirement has provided the opportunity to take a fresh look at our organizational structure and establish a senior leadership team that will best position PetSmart for future growth,” said Lenhardt. “We have strong and capable leaders, and with the addition of the new EVP positions, I’m confident we are in a position to deliver on our strategies and initiatives to drive future growth and deliver shareholder value.”



As part of the new structure, PetSmart is creating a new position, executive VP of customer experience, strategic planning and corporate development, which will focus on developing strategies for creating an unmatched customer experience, both in stores and online, and on developing organic and adjacent growth strategies across all platforms. Marketing, strategic planning and corporate development will report to this new executive VP. An external search will be conducted to fill this new role.



The following leaders will be named to the newly created executive VP roles:

• Carrie Teffner, who is currently senior VP of Finance and CFO, will now serve as executive VP and CFO with responsibilities for overseeing Finance and IS. The new CIO will report directly to Teffner.

• Matt McAdam, who is currently senior VP of merchandising, will now serve as executive VP of merchandising and real estate.

• Bruce Thorn, who is currently senior VP of store operations and services, will now serve as executive VP of store operations, services and supply chain.