AutoZone Shifts Executives, Adds NAPA Stalwart

Leading U.S. auto parts retailer and wholesaler AutoZone, Inc. has announced new responsibilities and additions to the company’s senior management team.
Mike Longo, currently senior vice-president of Store Operations, AZ Commercial and ALLDATA has been named the company’s new senior vice-president, Growth Initiatives. An eleven year veteran of the company, Longo will lead the development of new projects and coordinate with merchandising, marketing, store operations, and AZ Commercial to drive sales. Longo will continue to report directly to Steve Odland, chairman, president, and CEO, and remain a member of the company’s executive committee.
Joining AutoZone will be Steve Handschuh, the current president of NAPA Auto Parts. Handschuh will become senior vice-president, AZ Commercial and a member of the company’s executive committee, and will report directly to Steve Odland.
Through various leadership responsibilities for all sales and marketing programs, Handschuh spent the last seventeen years at NAPA building the wholesale business. AZ Commercial, which is the fastest growing segment of AutoZone’s business, sells parts, accessories and supplies to service chains, as well as up and down the street professional technicians.
Also, Brad Bacon, vice-president and general manager of store operations, will become senior vice-pesident, store operations. Reporting directly to Steve Odland, Bacon will also become a member of the company’s executive committee.
“We have made significant strides over the past few years in developing both our retail and AZ Commercial businesses,” said Odland. “With these management changes we have positioned our company to continue to build on that successful platform. All three of these individuals are proven leaders and their combined experience and expertise will help us to continue to drive profitable growth and shareholder value.”
As of November 22, 2003, AutoZone sold auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories through 3,259 AutoZone stores in 48 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia in the U.S. and 50 AutoZone stores in Mexico and also sells the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software.