In the News: New Leadership, New Markets and Notable Transactions

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

The hardware industry continues to see movement across its leadership ranks, with retailers, distributors and vendors announcing new hires, promotions and strategic role changes. Here are the latest updates.

• Orgill has named Sharmeelee “Sharms” Bala as the company’s new chief digital and information officer. Bala, who begins Dec. 1, brings more than two decades of experience from major retail organizations such as JCPenney, Gap Inc., and Walmart. Read the full story here.

• Beginning January 1, Denise (Koopman) Brookhouse will become Koopman Lumber chief executive officer, succeeding outgoing CEO Dirk Koopman, who has led the company since 2010. Dirk will move into a newly created role as president, where he will support long-term strategy and help guide the company’s continued growth. Chief Operating Officer Tony Brookhouse will remain in his position. See the full story here. 

• The winner of Hardware Connection’s 2024 Beacon Award for Best New Store, TAL Building Centers has promoted Gaven Gregory to chief operating officer and Billy Cornelius to vice president of pro sales.
• Hardlines Distribution Alliance (HDA) has announced that Jonathan Mize, CEO and president of Blish-Mize Co., will succeed Steve Henry as chairman of the HDA Board of Directors. The change follows Henry’s previously announced retirement as CEO and president of House-Hasson Hardware Company. For the full story, see the Hardware Connection article, here. 

• Owens Corning has promoted Annie Baymiller to executive vice president and chief information officer, a role in which she will lead the company’s push to scale advanced digital tools.
• Boise Cascade announced that CEO Nate Jorgensen will retire on March 2, 2026, with current COO Jeff Strom unanimously appointed by the board as his successor. Jorgensen will remain on the board, and the company does not plan to fill the COO role following the transition.
• Bosch Power Tools has named John Paul Marcantonio as its new president and CEO for North America, succeeding Robert Hesse.

• JohnDow Industries has promoted Tim Beltitus to director of inside sales and customer support, a new role focused on strengthening customer experience, streamlining support operations.
• Hancock Lumber has named Tim Bonenfant as general manager of its Saco, Maine, location.

NEW STORES, ACQUISITIONS

Hardware retailers can expect continued movement across the industry, with new store openings and acquisitions shaping local markets and signaling where growth and competition are headed.

• Aubuchon Company is acquiring Ithaca Agway Ace Hardware’s two locations in Ithaca, N.Y., a move that will bring the family-owned retailer to 133 stores across 11 states after the deal closes on December 18.
• Costello’s Ace will open a new store in Abington, Pa., with a planned opening in spring 2026. The new store will utilize the ELEVATE³ Ace format, which was unveiled at Ace’s 2024 Fall Conference. 
• Gold Beach Lumber plans to acquire Dazey’s Hubbards in Medford, Ore., marking its third expansion this year and bringing the family-owned company to 10 Oregon locations by the end of 2025.
• Kempker’s True Value is expanding into Pella, Iowa, with a new 12,000-square-foot hardware store on Washington Street slated to open in mid-2026.
• Houchens Food Group (HFG) has acquired longstanding Northwest Indiana chain and Century Club member Kabelin Ace Hardware, a family-owned operation with eight stores.
• Sunshine Ace Hardware celebrated the grand opening of its new Winchester Center store in Collier County, Fla., with a two-day event featuring a ribbon-cutting, giveaways and live music.
• Ace Handyman Services has opened its first franchise in Hawaii, expanding the U.S.-wide home-repair and maintenance brand into a new market. 
• Westlake Ace Hardware is opening its first Oregon store, converting a former Rite Aid in Dallas, Oregon into an 18,000-square-foot retail space, with a soft opening expected in spring 2026. See more Westlake Ace Hardware news here.