Uni-Select names new president, COO for its Canadian auto group

Brent Windom has been named president and chief operating officer for Uni-Select Inc.’s Canadian automotive group, effective July 3, 2017.

He takes over from Gary O’Connor who will be retiring at the end of 2017.

Boucherville, Que.-based Uni-Select made the announcements this morning.

Windom has 30 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket industry. During his career, he has held various leadership positions and served as president and chief operating officer of Uni-Select USA, Inc.

His previous experience includes the positions of senior vice president of sales and marketing with Uni-Select USA, Inc., and vice president of marketing and merchandising for MAWDI.

His most recent position was president and chief executive officer of Auto Plus | Pep Boys, an automotive aftermarket parts distributor in the U.S.

“Brent has a solid track record of driving business growth through innovation, successful strategic initiatives and developing people,” said Henry Buckley, president and chief executive officer of Uni-Select. “We are extremely proud to welcome Brent back as a member of our executive team and are confident that, with his extensive leadership and his strong knowledge of the Canadian automotive aftermarket, he will be a key contributor in the pursuit of Uni-Select’s growth ambitions.”

To ensure a smooth and efficient transition, O’Connor will act as strategic advisor to Windom from July 3, 2017 until the end of 2017.

“On behalf of the board of directors, the executive Team and our 3,000-plu team members, I would like to express our sincerest thanks to Gary for his tireless dedication and leadership in helping build an outstanding corporation,” Buckley said. “The success of Uni-Select is, in large part, due to his extraordinary talent, his professional expertise and his leadership. Gary has earned the trust and respect of our team members, partners and industry leaders and he will be missed by all who had the privilege of working with him. We wish him a long and rewarding retirement.”

Uni-Select is a leader in the distribution of automotive refinish and industrial paint and related products in North America, as well as a leader in the automotive aftermarket parts business in Canada. Uni-Select supports over 16,000 automotive repair and collision repair shops in Canada, through a growing national network of more than 1,100 independent customers and corporate stores, many of which operate under the Uni-Select Bumper to Bumper, Auto Parts Plus, and Finishmaster store banner programs.

It also supports over 3,900 shops and stores through its automotive repair/installer shop banners, as well as through its automotive refinish banners.