New Appointments for Advance Auto Parts

U.S. auto parts retailer Advance Auto Parts has announced the appointment of Jim Wade as president and Kevin Freeland as chief operating officer. Darren Jackson will retain the title of chief executive officer and Wade and Freeland will continue to report directly to him, along with Mike Norona, executive vice president and chief financial officer and Keith Oreson, senior vice president, Human Resources. The auto parts retailer also announced the resignation of Elwyn Murray, executive vice president and customer development officer (DIY).

In his new role, Wade will be responsible for all of Advance’s customer-focused and sales-driving functions and will lead the execution of the company’s commercial acceleration and DIY transformation strategies. These include commercial sales, marketing and advertising, field and store operations, autopart international and real estate. Wade joined Advance in February 1994 and most recently served as its executive vice president, customer development officer – commercial since February 2008. In his 15 years with Advance, Wade has served in multiple senior leadership roles, including chief financial officer.

Freeland will now be responsible for the day-to-day management of all of advance’s operational functions including merchandising, inventory management, supply chain, store operational support, e-commerce and information technology as well as leading the company’s availability excellence and superior experience strategies. Freeland joined Advance in February 2008 with more than 25 years of retail experience. Most recently, he served as Advance’s executive vice president, merchandising, supply chain and information technology.