Ace Retail Holdings Announces Three Promotions

Posted: January 21, 2025
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Category: Industry News

Ace Retail Holdings, the parent company of Westlake Ace Hardware, Great Lakes Ace Hardware, and other retail hardware brands, recently announced three key promotions.

Bob Massengill

A Westlake Ace associate for 20 years, Bob Massengill has been promoted to senior vice president of business development and general counsel of Ace Retail Holdings. Over the tenure of his career, Massengill has played significant roles in the growth of the company, including overseeing ARH’s Commercial Business division and management of new retail store expansion. In his new role, he will continue to oversee commercial business, legal, facilities and construction, real estate, and financial planning and analysis for Ace Retail Holdings. Massengill holds a Masters in Business Administration and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Chris Ekeland

Chris Ekeland has been promoted to corporate vice president of commercial business and home services for Ace Retail Holdings. Ekeland has been with Westlake Ace for 10 years and, under his leadership, has launched Westlake’s Commercial division and has grown ARH’s commercial business to over $100 million in revenue. In his new role, Ekeland will continue to advance the commercial business and home services operations for Ace Retail Holdings. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from Grandview University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Stacey Knapp

Stacey Knapp has been promoted to director of human resources for Ace Retail Holdings. Over the past nine years at Westlake Ace, she has advanced from human resources analyst to a leadership role, demonstrating her expertise and extensive knowledge. Knapp is well-regarded for fostering a positive and collaborative work environment with colleagues. In her new role as director, she will shape Ace Retail Holdings’ human resources strategies and oversee all operational aspects of the department. Knapp attended Pittsburgh State University in Pittsburgh, Kansas.

“At Ace Retail Holdings, we believe our greatest strength lies in our people,” said Joe Jeffries, president and CEO of Ace Retail Holdings. “These promotions not only reflect the outstanding contributions and positive impact Bob, Chris, and Stacey have had on the company, but it’s also a testament to our confidence in their ability to drive growth and excellence across our brands.”

About Us

For nearly 120 years, Westlake Ace Hardware has been the helpful neighborhood hardware store countless generations have counted on for power and hand tools, fasteners, paint, plumbing, lawn care, pet, electrical supplies, and BBQ grills and accessories. Westlake lives the Ace Helpful Promise every day by delivering reliable service, helpful advice, and products so its customers and neighbors get their projects done right every time.

 

Westlake Ace is headquartered in the Kansas City area and has been part of the Ace Hardware Cooperative since 1959. Along with Great Lakes Ace Hardware, Westlake Ace is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ace Retail Holdings – a division of Ace Hardware Corporation.

Westlake Ace currently owns and operates 160 stores in 12 states:

  • California (Ace Hardware locations in the Bay Area, Central Valley, Northern California, and Southern California)
  • Illinois (Buikema’s Ace Hardware)
  • Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas (Westlake Ace Hardware)
  • North Carolina (Westlake Ace Hardware and Outer Banks Ace Hardware)
  • Washington (Westlake Ace Hardware and Dennis Company Ace)

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