Ace Hardware CEO to retire in March
BY SANDRA GUY Business Reporter/sguy@suntimes.com September 4, 2012 11:42AM
Updated: October 6, 2012 1:46PM
Ace Hardware CEO Ray Griffith will retire from the Oak Brook-based hardware cooperative on March 31, and Chief Operating Officer John Venhuizen will become his successor.
Venhuizen, 42, assumed the role of president on Sept. 1 in anticipation of his succeeding Griffith, 58.
When Griffith retires, he will have served as president, CEO or COO for more than eight years.
“Ray’s decision to retire and spend more time with his family has been a deliberate and well thought-out process,” said Ace Hardware board Chairman David Ziegler. “John (Venhuizen) has worked side-by-side with Ray for the past 14 years and has unquestionably proven his leadership abilities.”
