At Blish-Mize, a fifth-generation CEO

Atchison, Kan.-based hardware distributor Blish-Mize Co. announced that Jonathan D. Mize has been appointed CEO, succeeding his father, John H. Mize. 

For the past few years, the younger Mize has served as president and COO and previously served in other officer capacities. He will be the fifth generation of the Mize family to hold the title of CEO. He also serves as president & COO of Hardware House, a subsidiary of Blish-Mize Co.

“Under my father’s leadership as CEO for the past 30 plus years, he has moved our company forward and kept it growing and profitable, and I look forward to more progress,” said Jonathan Mize. "As we enter our 143rd year in business, we have a great team, and we are in a great position to continue to help our customers be successful in hardware retailing for many more years to come.”

John H. Mize will become executive chairman of Blish-Mize Co. and will remain chairman of the company’s board of directors. 

“As we look to the future, I can honestly say that I am very confident that Blish-Mize will continue to thrive,” said John Mize. “During his more than two decades of service, Jonathan has been involved in the promoting and hiring of a strong management team to help him run the company in the future.  Jonathan knows the business, lives our core values, and has the respect and admiration of the company's officers, directors, employees, suppliers, and valued customers.  In short, he has earned the right to lead Blish-Mize as CEO. His movement up the leadership ladder of our company comes from good old-fashioned hard work, teamwork, enthusiasm and his drive for results.  As his supervisor, mentor and father, I could not be happier for him or more pleased for our company.”

Blish-Mize customers include building materials dealers, lumberyards, home centers, hardware stores and paint stores. They are also a fulfillment center for many online retailers. They provide more than 50,000 SKUs and represent more than 1,000 manufacturers. The company prides itself on a customer-centric business philosophy.