Windom leaves Auto Plus/Pep Boys for Uni-Select

BOUCHERVILLE, Quebec — Auto parts distributor Uni-Select Inc. has hired Brent Windom — president and CEO of Auto Plus/Pep Boys for the past year — to be president and chief operating officer, succeeding the retiring Gary O'Connor.

Uni-Select President and CEO Henry Buckley cited Mr. Windom's "extensive leadership and his strong knowledge of the Canadian automotive aftermarket" as reasons for his hiring.

Icahn Enterprises L.P., parent of Auto Plus/Pep Boys, has not commented on Mr. Windom's decision to leave, nor has it offered insight into who his successor may be.

Mr. Windom has 30 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket industry, including time with Uni-Select in the U.S. before the U.S. operations were sold in 2015 to Icahn Enterprises L.P.

"Brent has a solid track record of driving business growth through innovation, successful strategic initiatives and developing people," Mr. Buckley said. "He will be a key contributor in the pursuit of Uni-Select's growth ambitions."

To ensure a smooth and efficient transition, Mr. O'Connor will act as strategic adviser to Mr. Windom from July 3 through year-end, Uni-Select said.

Included in Mr. Windom's background are five years with Uni-Select Inc. as senior vice president, sales and marketing (2012-13) and president and COO (2013-2017). Prior to joining Uni-Select, he was vice president of marketing and merchandising for Middle Atlantic Warehouse Distributor Inc.

He was named president and CEO of Auto Plus in 2015 and added responsibility for Pep Boys in 2016.

Mr. Buckley thanked Mr. O'Connor for his "tireless dedication and leadership in helping build an outstanding corporation."

Mr. O'Connor has been president and COO, Automotive Canada, at Uni-Select since August 2012, and was executive vice president for six years prior to that. He also held executive positions with Affinia Canada and Dana Corp.

Uni-Select supports more than 16,000 automotive repair and collision repair shops in Canada through a network of more than 1,100 independent customers and corporate stores, operating under the Bumper to Bumper, Auto Parts Plus or Finishmaster brands.