AutoZone Appoints Odland As CEO

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--AutoZone Inc. has named Steve Odland as its new chief executive officer and the company’s third chairman of the board. He previously held senior executive positions--including president, CEO and chief operating officer--in the retail supermarket industry.

“The AutoZone story is one of the most compelling in all of retailing,” said Odland, 42. “The opportunity to write the next chapter of that story is one I couldn’t pass up,” he added. “I’ve met some tremendous AutoZoners so far, and the strength of the AutoZone culture is very appealing. I’m really looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work.”

John Adams, the current CEO and chairman, will turn over the reins to Odland Jan. 29.

“We could not have found a better fit for AutoZone than Steve Odland,” declared J.R. Hyde III, the company’s founder. “He’s accustomed to a fast-aced environment and razor-thin margins, since he spent a number of years in the grocery business. His capacity for operating under these conditions gives me great confidence in his ability to efficiently manage the business at AutoZone,” said Hyde.

“He has proven to be a dynamic agent for positive change in a number of high-caliber organizations, and he brings a solid background in both marketing and merchandising (that) we’re delighted to have,” Hyde said. “We also consider his experience in the international arena and e-commerce to be a great advantage.”

Prior to the AutoZone appointment, Odland was chief operating officer at Ahold USA Inc., the No. 1 supermarket retailer on the Eastern seaboard. He previously was president and CEO at Ahold’s Tops Markets Inc. division--a $3 billion multi-chain operating company--where he was credited with a $30 million turnaround while converting Ohio’s Finast stores to the Tops Supermarkets brand. (Other Tops chains include Wilson Farms convenience stores, B-Quik grocery stores and Vix drug stores.)

Odland has a master’s degree from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. His magna cum laude undergraduate degree is from the University of Notre Dame.

For more information, contact www.autozone.com.