“We view this as a pretty plump job actually for someone that's stepped into a business that has a tremendous amount of potential, has a one share of a $200 billion market and participate with no dominance in the service area.
“It's a very, very fragmented market. There's no barriers to the success in the industry really in our area of focus. So we're looking for the person who can energize us around that. Specifically, what exactly is the background we are — at this point in the search we're still at the top of the funnel. So we're looking at everyone.”
Mr. Sweetwood also noted that it's “not a prerequisite” for a CEO candidate to agree with Pep Boys' “Road Ahead” strategy.
“We welcome new and fresh thinking. That said, we are seeing some pretty good signs out of our strategy. So that would be the CEO's option. We would not want to burden them with an existing situation.”
Mr Odell resigned two weeks after Pep Boys reported a second quarter net loss and disclosed plans to close up to 63 Supercenters in a cost-cutting move.
Neither Pep Boys nor Mr. Odell elaborated at that time or since on his reasons for resigning. He had been the automotive parts and service retailer's top executive since being named interim CEO himself in April 2008 to replace the then-departing Jeff Rachor. The interim tag was removed in August 2008.
