CHARLOTTE, N.C. — American Tire Distributors (ATD) has announced the planned retirement of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard "Dick" Johnson, effective April 5.
The company also announced that President and Chief Operating Officer William "Bill” Berry will assume the position of president and chief executive officer, at that time. Johnson will continue to serve the company as chairman for the next two years.
“It has been my privilege to work closely with Bill Berry and the rest of the leadership team over the past decade to build a company that is stronger than ever and ready to shape the future of our industry,” said Johnson. “The changes announced today are the result of a succession plan developed over several years and designed to ensure a seamless transition and strength, stability and continuity of leadership for our company.”
“I am honored by the faith that Dick and the rest of the board have placed in me and I am tremendously excited about the opportunities that lie in front of us,” said Berry. “On behalf of the entire management team, I want to thank Dick for his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to build ATD into the best choice for tire buyers nationwide.”
Johnson became chairman and chief executive officer in May 2003 and has led the growth of American Tire Distributors from a company with 62 distribution centers covering 18 states and $1.06 billion in sales to a current network of 100 distribution centers servicing 39 states and sales exceeding the $2 billion mark. Johnson served as president and CEO from 2001 to 2003, and prior to that served as president of the company’s Southeast Division. He served as president and chief operating officer of ITCO Tire Co. from February 1997 until ITCO’s merger with Heafner Tire in 1998.
Berry brings to his position a 25-year track record of success in the tire industry, beginning in 1984 as controller for ITCO Tire Co. Berry joined ATD in 1998 as a result of ATD’s merger with ITCO and served as senior vice president of finance for the Southeast Division. He was named executive vice president and chief operating officer in January 2002 and was named president and chief operating officer in May 2003.
