Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Ace Hardware Corp. has announced two top leadership changes for Ace Retail Holdings, the branch of the cooperative that operates the 100 corporately owned Westlake Ace Hardware stores.
As of Aug. 1, Ace Retail Holdings’ chief operating officer Joe Jeffries was promoted to president and chief operating officer, continuing to support CEO Tom Knox.
In addition, Ace promoted Andrew Schmitt to vice president of operations for Westlake Ace Hardware. Schmitt was previously director of retail operations for the western division of Ace Hardware Corp.
Jeffries “is a proven leader with an outstanding vision for operations, merchandising and new store development, as well as growth strategy design and implementation,” Knox says. “I’m also excited to welcome Andy Schmitt to the Westlake Ace Hardware team. I worked with Andy extensively during our time at the Ace Hardware corporate headquarters. He will be an exceptional addition to our leadership team.”
Jeffries joined Westlake Ace Hardware in 2014 as chief operating officer. Previously, he was CEO and chief operating officer for A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, a regional chain of arts and crafts stores that is headquartered in New Jersey.
Schmitt joined Ace Hardware in 2010 as senior finance manager. In 2011, he transitioned to the retail operations department, where he held various positions, including director of retail operations for the western division, Texas regional manager and corporate manager of retail operations.
Westlake Ace Hardware operates 100 stores in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. The chain has been a wholly owned Ace subsidiary since 2012.
