Blain’s Farm & Fleet announced three major leadership changes, including its CEO role, on June 19. Mark Hasting will develop into president and chief executive officer for the Janesville, Wisconsin-based company. As well as, the retailer named Kim Treece as its recent chief stores officer.
Hasting’s promotion to the role will occur as a part of a succession plan that was already in place at Blain’s. The moves pave the way in which for CEO Jane Blain Gilbertson to proceed on because the board’s executive chair.
Blain Supply, Inc., which operates Blain’s Farm & Fleet stores, is No. 164 within the Top 1000, Digital Commerce 360’s rating of North America’s leading retailers by online sales. Digital Commerce 360 classifies it as a Mass Merchant.
CEO change at Blain’s Farm & Fleet
Jane Blain Gilbertson (center), Blain’s Farm & Fleet CEO, retiring to develop into executive board chair | Photo credit: Blain’s Farm & Fleet
“Crucial thing a pacesetter must do is to plan for the organization’s next great leader,” said Jane Blain Gilbertson in a released statement. “This succession plan was put into place 4 years ago once we hired Mark to hitch our company as our Chief of Stores.”
Blain Gilbertson is the daughter of the corporate’s co-founder, Bert Blain, who began Blain’s Farm & Fleet along with his brother, Claude Blain, in 1955. Blain’s has remained family-owned since then. Blain Gilbertson has been with the corporate since 1985, when she arrived following time at Macy’s. She eventually bought out her brother’s share of the business upon his retirement in 2014, at which point she became its sole owner.
Among the many milestones the corporate lists under Blain Gilbertson’s leadership are growth of its ecommerce business and 10 recent store openings, which brought its total presence to 45 stores. Also during that point, worker headcount grew from 3,500 to five,500.
She voiced confidence in Hasting because the transition takes place.
“From the start, the whole company and our vendor partners could see Mark’s character, values, intelligence and love for this business,” Blain Gilbertson stated. “He learned our business quickly through his humility and curiosity, and I used to be especially pleased to watch his strength for developing others!”
Mark Hasting’s background before becoming CEO
Incoming Blain’s Farm & Fleet CEO Mark Hasting | Photo credit: Blain’s Farm & Fleet
“I’m humbled and excited to tackle this recent role,” Hasting said. “It’s my desire to proceed the family culture to support the expansion of Blain’s Farm & Fleet and our associates.”
Hasting got here to Blain’s Farm & Fleet in 2020 after having spent greater than twenty years in a wide range of retail roles. Those positions eventually included group vp and vp of store operations at Goal. His other positions included regional vp at Starbucks and chief operating officer at Kum & Go.
“With Mark within the CEO role, I’m confident we are going to proceed to grow and thrive as a family-owned company delivering on our promise of creating Blain’s a spot where life is more rewarding,” Blain Gilbertson stated. “Next 12 months, we are going to have fun our seventieth anniversary, and I do know that we are only getting began.”
Hasting picked Treece, who has been working at Blain’s as senior vp of stores, to take over as the brand new chief stores officer because the transition occurs.
“I selected Kim to fill my previous role as a result of her enthusiasm and positive influence on store associates,” Hasting said. “Kim has a robust background in retail with 33 years in store and merchandising roles at Walgreens, but it surely is her compassionate leadership that makes her really shine.”
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