Essendant has announced a leadership transition. David Boone, who has served as interim CEO since last year, will step down to pursue another opportunity.
Dave Rickard, CEO, Essendant
Dave Rickard, formerly Essendant’s interim chief transformation officer, has been appointed as the company’s new CEO, effective immediately. Essendant is a national wholesale distributor with consolidated annual net sales exceeding $5 billion.
Boone is set to become the CEO of The Michaels Companies, Inc., beginning Feb. 28, 2025. His departure comes as Essendant continues to expand its strategic focus, particularly through its Connected Commerce program.
The Michaels Companies is No. 100 in the Top 2000 Database. That database includes Digital Commerce 360’s ranking of North America’s largest online retailers.
How the new Essendant CEO will focus on Connected Commerce
Under its new corporate emphasis, Connected Commerce is a key initiative designed to enhance Essendant’s ability to serve B2B, B2C, and B2B2C customers more effectively. This program integrates marketplace connections, ecommerce expertise, and fulfillment capabilities to support business growth.
Key features of Connected Commerce include:
- Marketplace integration: Direct connections to major B2B platforms, web stores, and nine of the top 10 national retailers.
- Ecommerce expertise: Partnerships with more than 1,300 brands and 560 suppliers, leveraging 20 online storefronts and marketplaces.
- Fulfillment and logistics strength: A nationwide network of over 20 fulfillment centers, enabling next-day delivery to 98% of the U.S.
As CEO, Rickard will lead Essendant’s efforts in executing this strategy. With more than 30 years of experience, he has held executive positions at Boston Consulting Group, Uline, and US Foods, where he was most recently executive vice president of strategy, insights, and financial planning.
Essendant stated that under Rickard’s leadership, the company will remain committed to enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening vendor partnerships.
“Dave brings deep experience in business transformation, and we are confident in his ability to lead Essendant’s continued growth,” the company said in a statement.
In the coming weeks, Rickard will engage with Essendant’s vendor community to discuss growth opportunities and collaboration. The company did not announce any immediate structural changes but emphasized continuity in its operations and strategic direction.
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