Ace Hardware Appoints Bossmann To New Role In Supply Chain Planning
Former Skil President Surane to Assume Lead Merchandising Role
Oak Brook, Ill., – Leading hardware cooperative Ace Hardware Corporation has appointed Lori Bossmann, a 23-year Ace veteran, to vice president, supply chain planning. The company has hired John Surane to fill Bossman's role as vice president, merchandising/advertising/marketing, effective March 30.
In her new position, Bossmann, 48, will oversee integration and efficiencies of the supply chain, merchandising and finance areas. She will work closely with officers in charge of the various departments, including Dan Prochaska, vice president, supply chain logistics. The inventory management group will report to Bossmann.
"Lori brings years of experience in a wide range of departments to this newly created position," said Ray Griffith, president and chief executive officer of Ace Hardware Corp. "She is a strong leader with the focus and knowledge needed to implement and integrate valuable upgrades to our business processes and systems"
Bossmann joined Ace from KPMG Peat Marwick in 1986 and served as general accounting manager before being promoted to assistant controller, then controller, and later, in 1997, vice president, controller. In October 1999, Ace promoted Bossmann to vice president, finance, and a year later, to vice president, merchandising. She holds a bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University.
Hardware Industry Veteran to Lead Merchandising, Advertising, Marketing Surane, 40, will fill Bossmann's position overseeing merchandising, advertising and marketing.
Surane joins Ace from Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, where he was president of the Skil Power Tool division for three years, managing the Skil Power Tool Company throughout North America. Prior to joining Bosch in 2003, Surane had worked in various merchandising roles, most recently as global product merchant at The Home Depot.
"We have been seeking a balanced blend of executives from both inside and outside the company," said Griffith. "John's experience with other global brands and merchandising in the hardware category will serve our retailers well."
After receiving a bachelor's degree from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La., Surane earned a master's in business administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
About Ace Hardware
Throughout its 85-year history, Ace Hardware has been known as the helpful hardware store by both customers and communities. Last year, Ace ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Home Improvement Stores for the Second Consecutive Year," according to J.D. Power and Associates. With 4,600 hardware, home center and building materials stores that generate annual retail sales of more than $12 billion, Ace is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace currently operates 14 distribution centers in the U.S. and one in Shanghai, China, and its retailers' stores are located in all 50 states and 60 countries.
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