Former Dollar General executives take on new roles

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Dollar Tree has made two key additions to its leadership team, naming John Flanigan chief supply chain officer and Larry Gatta chief merchandising officer for the Family Dollar banner.

“Driving supply chain efficiencies and improving the operating performance of our Family Dollar banner are important elements to long-term value creation for our shareholders,” Dollar Tree president and CEO Michael Witynski said. “I am pleased to announce the recent additions of proven retail leaders John Flanigan and Larry Gatta to our organization. Both John and Larry have decades of experience and are proven leaders in small-box value retail and I am extremely pleased to welcome them to our team. In their leadership roles, they will each be key components to our success in the next chapter of our company’s growth, especially as it relates to improved performance, efficiencies, and shopper and associate experiences, in our Family Dollar stores and throughout our supply chain.”

Flanigan most recently served as executive vice president, global supply chain, at Dollar General. He held that post through April 2016. Flanigan joined Dollar General as senior vice president, global supply chain in May 2008 and was promoted to executive vice president in March 2010. Flanigan has approximately 30 years of management experience in retail logistics. Before joining Dollar General, he was group vice president of logistics and distribution for Longs Drug Stores Corp. from October 2005 to April 2008. In that role, he was responsible for overseeing warehousing, inbound and outbound transportation and facility maintenance for an operation that serviced more than 500 retail outlets. From September 2001 to October 2005, he was vice president of logistics for Safeway Inc., overseeing the distribution of food products from Safeway distribution centers to all retail outlets, and managing inbound traffic and transportation. He also has held distribution and logistics leadership positions at Vons, Specialized Distribution Management Inc., and Crum & Crum Logistics.

“I am excited to join the Dollar Tree organization,” Flanigan said. “Mike Witynski and I share a common vision to improve the organization’s supply chain performance through improved distribution center conditions, hiring and retention of teams, and efficiency improvements throughout the supply chain — from our suppliers to our store shelves. I am eager to drive our team’s contribution to the company’s performance through improved shopper and associate experience. My focus will be on leading productivity improvements across the Logistics function through the use of data, analytics, process improvements and automation.”

Gatta brings more than 35 years of retail industry and marketing experience to his new role. Most recently, as senior vice president and general merchandise manager for consumables at Dollar General, Gatta was responsible for the food, perishables, candy, snacks, beverage, paper, cleaning, pet, and tobacco categories. He joined Dollar General in 2009 as vice president and divisional merchandise manager, responsible for food, pet, beverages, candy, snacks, perishables and the Market Store Format. In 2011, Gatta was promoted to senior vice president and general merchandise manager for discretionary, spending two years being responsible for soft lines, seasonal, hardware, housewares, stationery, electronics, gift cards, and automotive. Prior to joining Dollar General, he was senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Longs Drug Stores, and before that he held leadership roles at Rite Aid Corp. and Phar-Mor Corp.

Rick McNeely, chief merchandising officer of Dollar Tree, will lead the Dollar Tree merchandising teams with a continued focus on driving key Dollar Tree initiatives, the company said.

“In the current economic climate,” Gatta said, “households need Family Dollar to provide value and convenience to help stretch their budgets. Family Dollar is part of the solution for millions of households across the U.S. I will be focused on improving the banner’s productivity and improved operating performance through sales-driving initiatives, margin enhancements, and leveraging our cost components. The investments in renovations and the new combo store formats are a tremendous foundation to grow and improve the Family Dollar business.”