Sportsman’s Warehouse names former Hertz, Cabela’s exec as CEO

Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings Inc. has ended its search for a new chief executive with a seasoned retail executive. 

The Utah-based outdoor specialty retailer has appointed Paul Stone as CEO, president and board member, effective Nov. 1.  He will succeed  Joseph P. Schneider, who has served as interim chief since April and will remain as independent chair until year-end, when he will retire and be replaced as chair by board director Rich McBee. 

Stone joins Sportsman’s Warehouse from Hertz Global Holdings, where he most recently served as president and COO and oversaw more than 11,000 locations globally. Prior to joining Hertz in 2018, he was senior VP/chief retail officer, U.S. and Canada, at Cabela’s.

Before Cabela’s, Stone was with Walmart, including spending 27 years at its Sam’s Club division. 

“After carefully considering a wide range of candidates, the board believes that Paul is the ideal choice to lead Sportsman’s Warehouse through its next chapter of growth,” said Schneider. “Not only does Paul share the Company’s passion for the outdoors, but he is also an experienced leader who has helped drive significant positive transformation in the retail sector. Paul’s prior retail leadership roles make him especially qualified to execute the company’s plan to catalyze growth, enhance the focus on our e-commerce platforms and private-label products, and improve our overall customer experience.”

In April, Sportsman’s Warehouse said it remains on track to open 15 new locations in 2023, the highest number of stores it has ever opened in a single year, with a focus on smaller, underserved markets.  The stores will range in size from 20,00 sq.ft. to 70,000 sq.ft.  The retailer ended fiscal 2022 with 131 stores. 

“As a lifelong outdoorsman, I am thrilled to be joining Sportsman’s Warehouse at such a pivotal time for the Company,” said  Stone. “Sportsman’s Warehouse has taken significant steps over the past several months to enhance shareholder value, including reducing its expense structure and managing inventory, and I am excited to begin working with the rest of the talented management team and the board to build on these actions and set the company’s strategic pathway.”