Les Schwab CEO Borgman to retire; CFO Cuniff named successor

BEND, Ore. — Dick Borgman, CEO of Les Schwab Tire Centers Inc. since 2007, plans to retire June 30, concluding a 28-year career with the company, the nation's sixth largest independent tire dealership.

The company has named Jack Cuniff, the dealership's chief financial officer since 2008, to succeed Mr. Borgman, effective July 1.

Mr. Borgman, 63, joined Les Schwab Tire in 1990 as general counsel and quickly moved up the executive management ranks, building programs and infrastructure to keep up with the company's rapid growth and changing business environment.

"Dick has brought a tremendous degree of professionalism, commitment and discipline to the Les Schwab organization," Stan Renecker, a member of the company's board of directors since 1990, said.

"Dick's thoughtful, forward-thinking leadership has always focused on keeping the company true to the principles our founder Les (Schwab) cared most about — taking excellent care of our customers, ensuring our employees have the opportunity for rewarding careers, and keeping the company a vibrant and successful business for Les' family to own for generations to come."

His tenure at Les Schwab coincided with the implementation of information systems to manage inventory, logistics, store operations, marketing and sales, along with the recent adoption of digital technologies to enhance customer experience, the company said.

"It has been my distinct pleasure to work for this wonderful company for most of my professional career, and serve as its CEO during an exciting period of growth and development over the past 11 years," Mr. Borgman said.

"The future of the company and its thousands of employees has never been brighter, and I am confident it will continue to thrive as a unique, family-owned, employee- and customer-centric enterprise for many years into the future."

Mr. Borgman's rise to the top included eight years (1998-2006) as an executive vice president, before being named a divisional president in 2006 and then CEO in 2007.

He succeeded Phil Wick as chairman in 2008.

During Mr. Borgman's tenure, the company grew its footprint from 179 tire center locations to 481 locations and $1.8 billion in annual sales, the Bend-based dealership said.

Mr. Cuniff spent 20 years with Adidas America Inc., including time as CFO and chief operating officer, before joining Les Schwab in 2008. He has served as a key member of the Schwab executive team, the company said, and has been integral to the company's investment in growth and development.

"We are excited to have such a capable successor in Jack," Mr. Renecker added. "His promotion allows the company to continue its tradition of elevating talented, inspiring leaders with a genuine understanding and appreciation of the company's culture and its business model into positions of senior leadership."

Mr. Cuniff said he is "excited and humbled" by the opportunity to lead Les Schwab into the future.

"The company is in excellent condition and has outstanding employees," he said. "We are excited to take on the many innovative opportunities in front of us as the world and our customers continue to adapt to a rapidly changing retail environment.

"I am honored to take the reins of this great company from Dick, and plan to continue on our path to remain the greatest retail tire company in the world."