ROANOKE, Va. – Advance Auto Parts has announced the appointment of two new commercial vice presidents as well as a new general counsel.
Larry Nelson has joined Advance as vice president, commercial sales – new customer development. Nelson’s responsibilities will include developing and managing the company’s commercial sales team that concentrates on new commercial customer relationships.
Prior to joining Advance, Nelson spent 14 years with Black and Decker, most recently serving as director of sales, Home Depot Division. He also served in several other director of sales roles and as a national account manager. Prior to Black and Decker, Nelson served as a manager for Winn Dixie Supermarkets. He will be based in Atlanta.
Steve Hoeft is joining Advance as vice president, commercial sales – north and national accounts. Hoeft’s responsibilities include leading the north commercial sales team. He will also be responsible for developing Advance’s strategy with regards to growing the company’s national account business and researching channels for future expansion of the company’s commercial business.
Prior to joining Advance, Hoeft spent 12 years with Corporate Express, a Staples Company, most recently serving as vice president of pricing. He also served as division vice president of sales and general manager. Prior to Corporate Express, Hoeft served as general manager for Discount Business Products Inc. He earned his MBA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., and his bachelor of business administration from Cleary College in Ypsilanti, Mich. Hoeft will be based in Michigan.
Both Nelson and Hoeft will report to Donna Broome, senior vice president, customer and sales development officer – commercial. Commenting on the appointments, Broome said, “Larry and Steve are experienced sales leaders, and I am excited to have them join our Commercial Team. Larry has more than 20 years of sales and sales management experience in the consumer products and retail industry and Steve is strategically focused with exceptional leadership, collaboration and team-building skills.”
Advance also today announced the promotion of Sarah Powell as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. Powell will be responsible for managing all legal, secretarial, governance, compliance, litigation and government affairs for Advance. Powell will continue to report to Mike Norona, executive vice president and chief financial officer.
“I am very excited to announce Sarah’s promotion to General Counsel,” said Norona. “Sarah has been the acting general counsel for Advance for over a year and has grown tremendously as a leader over that time. I have been impressed by her technical skills, judgment and ability to engage and inspire her team to deliver results.”
Powell joined Advance Auto Parts in September 2002 and has served as acting general counsel since November 2007. Prior to that she served as vice president, real estate counsel and as senior attorney. Powell was the first in-house real estate attorney hired by the company. Before coming to Advance, Powell served as assistant general counsel for Food Lion LLC, in Salisbury, N.C. Prior to that, she practiced law with a local law firm. Powell obtained her law degree from Washington and Lee University and her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia.
She will be based in Roanoke, Va.
