Petco Appoints Three New Executives to Enhance Leadership Team Amid Strategic Growth

Petco Strengthens Leadership with New Executive Appointments

Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. has recently made significant changes to its executive leadership team, announcing the appointments of three seasoned executives. This strategic move aims to bolster operational improvements and accelerate a return to profitability following a challenging phase for the company.

Effective from February 17, 2025, Sabrina Simmons has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer, bringing over two decades of extensive financial expertise to the role. Simmons previously served as the Chief Financial Officer at Gap, Inc. and has been a member of Petco’s Board of Directors since 2021. In her new capacity, she is expected to have an immediate impact on Petco's financial strategy and investor relations initiatives. Her resignation from the Board allows her to focus fully on her CFO responsibilities, as she expressed her excitement about contributing to the company's mission to enhance the lives of pets and their owners.

Completing the leadership trio, Michael Romanko joins as the Chief Customer and Product Officer, with a start date of February 24, 2025. Romanko's prior role was at Five Below, Inc., where he was the Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer. His rich background in product development and branding will be pivotal in driving customer insight and improving Petco's product offerings to elevate the brand experience. He is enthusiastic about sourcing innovative products to enhance the customer experience at Petco and its overall marketplace position.

Also starting on February 24, 2025, Jack Stout has been appointed as Chief Merchandising Officer. Stout, who has been serving as Petco's Interim Chief Merchandising Officer since July 2024, brings over 20 years of merchandising experience from various roles within the consumer goods industry, including leadership positions at 7-Eleven, Inc. Stout aims to fortify Petco's merchandising capabilities and align them better with retail fundamentals, positioning the company for future growth.

In a statement regarding the new appointments, CEO Joel Anderson mentioned that these changes aim to enhance Petco’s retail fundamentals, drive operational improvements, and return the company to a growth trajectory. Anderson highlighted the rich experience that Simmons, Romanko, and Stout bring to the management team and their crucial role in delivering value to customers, partners, and shareholders.

The fresh appointments come on the heels of previous leadership changes made in 2024, including the hiring of Glenn Murphy as Executive Chairman and Joel Anderson himself as CEO. This restructuring reflects Petco’s commitment to strengthening its core operations amidst a dynamic marketplace and consumer landscape.

Overall, these appointments herald a new era for Petco as the company embarks on an ambitious plan to enhance its retail strategies and improve customer engagement, while ultimately achieving profitability and growth objectives. With an expanded leadership team that possesses a wealth of industry knowledge, Petco is poised to reaffirm its standing as a leader in the pet health and wellness sector.