Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) announced today that Michael A. Jones
will join the company as its chief merchandising officer. Jones will
report to Chief Customer Officer Gregory M. Bridgeford. Stephen J.
Szilagyi has been promoted to supply chain executive and will report to
Chief Operating Officer Rick D. Damron.
As chief merchandising officer, Jones will be responsible for the
merchandising offering for Lowe’s stores and Lowes.com as well as all
global sourcing activities. He will work closely with the leaders of
customer experience design, marketing, operations and logistics to
develop and deliver differentiating, seamless customer experiences.
Jones brings to Lowe’s more than a decade of executive leadership in
sales, service, product management and international business. He served
most recently as executive vice president and president of Husqvarna
North and Latin America.
Prior to joining Husqvarna, Jones spent 15 years with General Electric.
He started in appliance contract sales and also held positions as chief
commercial officer – Europe for GE Consumer and Industrial and general
manager of cooking products.
“Mike has extensive experience with consumer products in categories
relevant to the home improvement business, with both Husqvarna and GE
including appliances, outdoor power equipment and lighting categories,”
said Bridgeford. “His experience in leading businesses, identifying and
pursuing marketing opportunities, and discipline around value creation
throughout the chain, from supplier to consumer, make him an outstanding
fit for this position.”
Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from
California Coast University in Santa Ana, Calif.
As supply chain executive, Szilagyi will be responsible for overseeing
Lowe’s state-of-the-art logistics and distribution network that
expedites the replenishment of merchandise and supplies to all Lowe’s
stores.
Szilagyi has more than 25 years of supply chain experience, including
leadership roles prior to Lowe’s in wholesale distribution and
retail/consumer products supply chain consulting services.
He began his career at Lowe’s in 2001 as regional director of
distribution and was named vice president of distribution in 2002 and
senior vice president in 2006.
“Steve and his team have made significant improvements in our safety,
speed to market and employee engagement,” said Damron. “His leadership
with the distribution network has resulted in streamlined, simplified
and standardized process flows and controls to improve product
distribution so consumers can find the product they need at their local
store.”
Szilagyi earned a bachelor’s degree in materials and logistics
management from Michigan State University.
With fiscal year 2011 sales of $50.2 billion, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. is
a FORTUNE® 100 company that serves approximately 15 million customers a
week at more than 1,745 home improvement stores in the United States,
Canada and Mexico. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C.,
Lowe’s is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For
more information, visit Lowes.com.
