Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Do it Best recently shared that Chad Ruth announced his retirement at the end of January, concluding a successful career with the company.
Ruth served as president and CEO of United Hardware Distributing Co. prior to and during the early stages of the combination with Do it Best. After Do it Best and United Hardware announced their intent to merge in May 2024, Ruth was asked to remain in a senior leadership capacity to support integration planning and operations.
“Chad’s leadership has been steady, thoughtful and relentlessly focused on what matters most—helping our independent dealers win,” says Dan Starr, CEO of Do it Best and True Value. “He brought deep institutional knowledge, strong relationships across the industry and a clear-eyed understanding of how to navigate change while protecting the service and support our members count on. We are grateful for his lifetime of service to this industry, and we wish Chad and his family all the best in retirement.”
During his more than two decades of serving the industry, Ruth built a reputation for practical leadership and retailer-first decision-making. He spent over 15 years leading merchandising and retail operations at United Hardware, and earlier owned and operated Lyndale Garden & Hardware.
Ruth played a key role in helping teams identify operational pain points and opportunities during the transition, advocating for the needs of members served through the Milbank, South Dakota, distribution center.
“Chad’s guidance helped us move faster, communicate more clearly, and keep the work grounded in what dealers and team members need day-to-day,” says True Value president Dent Johnson. “His impact is real, and it will be felt long after this transition.”
