Ace Elects Two New Board Members, Extends Chairman’s Term

Ace Hardware appointed two new member directors to its Board of Directors and extended its chairman’s term by one year.

At the retailer-owned cooperative’s annual shareholders meeting June 11, Ace Hardware elected two new member directors: Stew Elliott Jr., of Elm Grove, Wisc., and Amy Kaplanis of Granby, Colo.

A total of 11 individuals, including nine retailers and two outside directors, comprise Ace’s Board of Directors, whom set strategic policy and direction for Ace management.

Elliott is a majority shareholder of Elliott Ace Hardware, a four-store Ace chain located in the western suburbs of Milwaukee. Prior to taking ownership in Ace Hardware, Elliott held a leadership sales role with Amerock, a vendor servicing the convenience hardware industry, for six years.

Kaplanis is an owner of Country Ace Hardware in Granby, Colo. Prior to becoming affiliated with Ace Hardware, Kaplanis worked for Accenture in its Consulting and Services practices for nearly 10 years. Additionally, she worked for Black & Decker for six years. Kaplanis is a member of the Rocky Mountain Ace Stores (RMAS) Board of Directors and leads the organization’s training committee.

Additionally, at the shareholders meeting, Ace Hardware voted to extend the term of its current Chairman David Ziegler, with his new term expiring in 2014. Ziegler was named chairman of Ace Hardware Corporation’s Board of Directors in 2008. Ziegler is co-owner of Ziegler’s Ace Hardware, a nine-store chain in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.