Veteran co-op exec moves on

Do it Best Corp. announced the retirement of Vice President of Sales and Business Development Jay Brown, capping a career of more than 30 years in the retail home improvement industry.

Brown’s retirement is effective Dec. 31, 2016.

Brown joined Do it Best Corp. in 2004 as VP of merchandising before becoming VP of sales and business development three years later. He played a major role in the development and implementation of numerous strategic, member-focused programs and other retail-performance enhancements.

“From my very first job at a local hardware store, I caught the bug and knew this was where I belonged,” Brown said. “I am tremendously proud of the inspiring effort our team continues to put forth and the many positive results they’ve delivered for our members and the co-op.”

In addition to leading the co-op’s team of professional sales consultants, Brown oversees the Do it Best Corp. Retail Performance and INCOM Distributor Supply teams, as well as its International division and member services department.

Early in his career, Brown worked for a 3-store chain affiliated with Our Own Hardware (who merged with Hardware Wholesalers, Inc. in 1998 to form Do it Best Corp.). Prior to joining the Do it Best team, Brown spent 20 years at the Valspar Corporation in numerous leadership roles, including national sales and marketing manager and senior general manager.

“Jay has truly embodied what it means to be a servant leader each and every day, and our members and staff are better as a result of it,” added Do it Best Corp. President & CEO Dan Starr. “We are grateful to Jay for his years of service and commitment to making this co-op and his community a better place.”

The co-op is currently conducting a search for a replacement and expects to name his successor this fall.