Tractor Supply names new CEO
Tractor Supply Company has named current Macy’s President Hal Lawton as the farm and ranch retailer’s next president and CEO.
Lawton will succeed current Tractor Supply CEO Greg Sandfort, who previously announced that he plans to retire. The new CEO will officially take the wheel at Tractor Supply on Jan. 13.
Hal Lawton
“After conducting a robust search process, the board is convinced Hal Lawton is the right CEO to build on Tractor Supply’s success and lead the next stage of the Company’s growth,” said Cynthia Jamison, Tractor Supply chairman. “Hal is a proven leader with a unique omnichannel experience to deliver on our customer’s evolving expectations as we look to the future of retail. With a strong track record of results across different companies, responsibilities and cultures, Hal has a broad base of experience in retail with a proven ability to drive innovative growth strategies. The Board is delighted to welcome Hal to the role and believes he is the right person to extend the remarkable track record of success under Greg’s leadership.”
“I am extremely excited and honored to join Tractor Supply as I have long admired the company for its strong brand and focus on serving the ‘Out Here lifestyle’,” Lawton said. “Greg and the team have built a tremendous company culture, and I look forward to an exciting future and continuing to drive growth and shareholder value.”
Sandfort, 64, will remain with the company through Feb. 29, 2020, and then serve as an advisor until Aug. 31 to ensure a seamless transition. He will serve out his term on the board of directors until May 7.
“The board is immensely grateful to Greg for his outstanding leadership. His contributions have been innumerable,” Jamison said. “Throughout his 41-year career in retail, including 12 years at Tractor Supply, Greg has served with a level of distinction reserved only for the very best. Looking ahead, we are pleased Greg will work closely with Hal to ensure a smooth transition.”
Lawton has served as president of Macy’s since September 2017 and oversaw all aspects of the retailer’s brand, including merchandising, marketing, stores, operations, technology, consumer insights and analytics.
Previously, Lawton was senior vice president of eBay North America from August 2015 to September 2017. Prior to joining eBay, Lawton spent 10 years in various leadership roles at Home Depot, where he most recently was senior vice president of merchandising.
Tractor Supply operates more than 1,800 stores in 49 states in addition to 176 Petsense pet product stores in 26 states.
In October, Tractor Supply reported that net sales for the third quarter 2019 increased 5.4% to $1.98 billion from $1.88 billion in the third quarter of 2018. The Brentwood, Tenn.-based retailer also reported a third quarter net income of $122.1 million, up 4.6% from a net income of 116.8 million for the same period a year ago.
Lawton will succeed current Tractor Supply CEO Greg Sandfort, who previously announced that he plans to retire. The new CEO will officially take the wheel at Tractor Supply on Jan. 13.
Hal Lawton“After conducting a robust search process, the board is convinced Hal Lawton is the right CEO to build on Tractor Supply’s success and lead the next stage of the Company’s growth,” said Cynthia Jamison, Tractor Supply chairman. “Hal is a proven leader with a unique omnichannel experience to deliver on our customer’s evolving expectations as we look to the future of retail. With a strong track record of results across different companies, responsibilities and cultures, Hal has a broad base of experience in retail with a proven ability to drive innovative growth strategies. The Board is delighted to welcome Hal to the role and believes he is the right person to extend the remarkable track record of success under Greg’s leadership.”
“I am extremely excited and honored to join Tractor Supply as I have long admired the company for its strong brand and focus on serving the ‘Out Here lifestyle’,” Lawton said. “Greg and the team have built a tremendous company culture, and I look forward to an exciting future and continuing to drive growth and shareholder value.”
Sandfort, 64, will remain with the company through Feb. 29, 2020, and then serve as an advisor until Aug. 31 to ensure a seamless transition. He will serve out his term on the board of directors until May 7.
“The board is immensely grateful to Greg for his outstanding leadership. His contributions have been innumerable,” Jamison said. “Throughout his 41-year career in retail, including 12 years at Tractor Supply, Greg has served with a level of distinction reserved only for the very best. Looking ahead, we are pleased Greg will work closely with Hal to ensure a smooth transition.”
Lawton has served as president of Macy’s since September 2017 and oversaw all aspects of the retailer’s brand, including merchandising, marketing, stores, operations, technology, consumer insights and analytics.
Previously, Lawton was senior vice president of eBay North America from August 2015 to September 2017. Prior to joining eBay, Lawton spent 10 years in various leadership roles at Home Depot, where he most recently was senior vice president of merchandising.
Tractor Supply operates more than 1,800 stores in 49 states in addition to 176 Petsense pet product stores in 26 states.
In October, Tractor Supply reported that net sales for the third quarter 2019 increased 5.4% to $1.98 billion from $1.88 billion in the third quarter of 2018. The Brentwood, Tenn.-based retailer also reported a third quarter net income of $122.1 million, up 4.6% from a net income of 116.8 million for the same period a year ago.