Emery-Waterhouse eyes southern expansion

Portland, Maine-based Emery-Waterhouse, the Ace Hardware Corp.-owned distributor of fasteners, paint, and hardlines, plans to expand down the coast, and it has named new slate of executives to make it happen.

The distributor announced it hired David Palo as director of sales for the Southern Region, Dan Pendergast was hired as the director of merchandising, and Jim Cook was named corporate field training specialist.

The Maine-based New England company already operates in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and parts of the mid-Atlantic. The latest moves are designed to help continue that expansion south.

Pendergast has 17 years of retail industry experience. Prior to joining Emery, he worked as the corporate merchandising director of Stewart’s Shops, a well-established convenience store chain.

Palo will direct the efforts of the Emery sales team to identify, target, and develop new and existing business opportunities in the South.  His background includes Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and most recently, sales consultant with Ace.

Cook will be responsible for leading and developing Emery’s field training activities and regional trainings. He will also mentor new Territory Managers to ensure they embody the Emery core values and can implement programs and services at retail to help retailers grow their business, the company said.