ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Monro Muffler Brake Inc. has hired Brett Ponton, a former Goodyear vice president and current CEO of AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care's parent company, to succeed John Van Heel as CEO, effective Oct. 1.
Mr. Van Heel, CEO and a member of the Rochester-based automotive service and tire retail chain's board of directors since 2012, has decided not to renew his long-term contract when it expires on Oct. 1.
Van Heel
Monro did not elaborate on Mr. Van Heel's reasons for leaving but stressed that it comes at a critical time in the company's development.
"Monro is very pleased to welcome Brett Ponton as its next president and CEO," newly named Monro Chairman Robert Mellor said. "His deep industry expertise and contacts, his success running both franchise and company-operated automotive service and tire stores and his proven leadership skills will help accelerate Monro's successful acquisition strategy. He is the right person to lead Monro at this stage in its growth."
Since August 2013, Mr. Ponton has been CEO and president of American Driveline Systems Inc., which owns AAMCO Transmissions Inc., Cottman Transmission Systems L.L.C. and Global Powertrain Systems L.L.C. He also served on its board of directors. Under his leadership, the group staged a financial recovery, which led to its being sold to Transom Capital Group.
Prior to joining American Driveline, he was president and CEO of Heartland Automotive, the largest operator of Jiffy Lube stores in North America. Prior to joining Heartland in 2009, Mr. Ponton was managing director for the Asia-Pacific region for Veyance Technologies, Goodyear's former engineered rubber products business.
Prior to that he spent 16 years at Goodyear, rising from a summer laborer and, later, an accounting intern to vice president of marketing for the North America tire division.
Prior to that he managed more than 800 Goodyear retail locations and 8,000 employees.
Monro said the transition comes at a time of dynamic evolution and opportunities for the company, which has 1,118 company-operated stores and 114 franchised locations in 27 states, generating $1.02 billion in sales in fiscal 2017.
In a statement provided by Monro, Mr. Ponton said, "It is an honor to be chosen as president and CEO of Monro…. I look forward to working with the company's talented professionals to expand the offerings and unparalleled service Monro is known for."
Mr. Mellor, a Monro director since 2010, is succeeding Robert Gross, who will retire Aug. 15 at the conclusion at the conclusion of the annual shareholder meeting.
Mr. Mellor lauded Mr. Van Heel for his "distinguished service" to Monro. During his 15 years at the company, Monro has grown to more than 1,100 stores and annual sales of more than $1 billion from 550 stores and $250 million in annual sales
For his part, Mr. Van Heel said, "It has been a privilege for me to be a part of the outstanding growth story at Monro. I am proud of the accomplishments of our team and want to thank each of our employees for their hard work and dedication to Monro, our customers and me. Also, we are grateful to Rob Gross for his outstanding leadership and contributions to the company over the past 18 years."
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