Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Do it Best Corp. announced the retirement of one of its senior leaders while also transitioning another proven executive into a new position. Effective Oct. 24, Do it Best Corp. Vice President of Lumber and Building Materials Quent Ondricek will retire his position, while Gary Nackers, currently Director of Program Development for LBM, will move into that role effective Sept. 15.
Ondricek had a lengthy and successful career at Our Own Hardware before joining the Do it Best Corp. team when those two co-ops combined in 1998. He came on board as a regional sales manager for a newly created territory, serving in that role for three years before a promotion to National Sales Manager in 2001. He was named VP of Lumber and Building Materials in 2002. Overall, he has more than 40 years of experience in the hardware and LBM industries.
“Forty-three years is more than a job and more than a career—it’s been a way of life for which I have been truly blessed,” Ondricek said. “I am so incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with the quality team at Do it Best Corp.—the very best in the industry. I’ve been equally fortunate to serve the member-owners of this great co-op and help them succeed.”
“Quent’s experience, vision and commitment to helping our members grow have been instrumental in his ability to build a world-class LBM operation,” said Bob Taylor, president and CEO of Do it Best Corp. “Any transition like this certainly brings a mix of emotions. While we are saddened to see an executive team member with Quent’s vast industry knowledge retire, we are equally excited to have someone of Gary Nackers’ caliber stepping in to fill this important leadership position.”
Nackers joined the co-op in 1999 and has served in a number of roles of growing responsibility and geographic scope. After starting as a territory manager on the Sales and Business Development team, a series of promotions within the department led to his position as National Sales Manager in 2008, which he served at until assuming his current role in early 2012. Overall, he has more than 30 years of experience in the home improvement and hardware retail industries.
“While it won’t be easy following the example Quent has set in his career, I could not be more excited about the opportunities ahead for independent entrepreneurs in the home improvement industry,” said Nackers. “I look forward to working with our incredible LBM team and, most importantly, continuing to help our members grow and succeed.”
