Dick Johnson, chairman and CEO of American Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD), will retire on April 5, 2009. He will be replaced by current ATD President and COO Bill Berry, who will remain president of ATD when he takes Johnson's post.
After he retires, Johnson will continue to serve ATD as chairman for the next two years, say ATD officials.
"The changes announced today are the result of a succession plan developed over several years,designed to ensure a seamless transition and strength, stability and continuity of leadership for our company," says Johnson.
A 25-year tire industry veteran, Berry joined ATD in 1998 as a result of ATD's merger with ITCO Tire Co., where he had worked since 1984. He was named executive vice president and COO in January 2002 and was promoted to president in May 2003.
Johnson became ATD chairman and CEO in May 2003. From 2001 to 2003, he served as ATD's CEO and president, and prior to that was president of ATD's Southeast Division. Before assuming that post, he worked for ITCO, where he rose to president and COO.
Under Johnson's leadership, ATD's sales have increased to more than $2 billion per year. The company has 100 distribution centers servicing 39 states. It employs more than 3,000 people.
