John Van Heel will take over as CEO of Monro Muffler Brake Inc. on Oct. 1, 2012. The move is part of the company's long-term management succession plan.
Heel is president of Monro Muffler Brake. Robert Gross, who is chairman and CEO, will be appointed executive chairman of the board and will continue to serve the company on a half-time basis with a focus on strategy, acquisitions and investor relations.
Van Heel has served as president since March 2008; he joined the company in 2002.
As president, he has had responsibility for merchandising, marketing, customer service, real estate, training, acquisitions, distribution and facilities. Over the last several years, he also has developed the company’s operating strategy with the field management team.
Gross has served as chairman of Monro Muffler Brake since August 2007 and CEO since January 1999. As executive chairman, he will continue to lead the board and work closely with Van Heel and the rest of the Monro management team.
"We have been planning this transition internally for some time and are confident that it will be seamless," says Gross. "John and I have worked together closely for nearly 10 years, and he has been instrumental in helping to build the Monro business over the years.
"We are aligned on the company’s business strategies and objectives, and share a common vision for the future of Monro. Our board and the remainder of the company’s management team are highly confident in John’s ability to lead Monro in its continued growth through organic expansion and acquisitions."
Monro Muffler Brake, fourth on the Modern Tire Dealer 100 list, posted net income of $11.6 million on sales of $169.2 million for the first quarter of its fiscal year 2013 ended June 30, 2012. For a more in-depth look at its 1Q financial results, click here.
