EDMONTON, Alberta — Fountain Tire Ltd. has promoted Jason Herle to chief operating officer — a position new to the company — and has promoted Cathy de Kock Gordon to chief financial officer.
Fountain also named Shad Smereka as its vice president, people and customer experience. Ms. de Kock Gordon replaces David Janzen, who is retiring.
The appointments are effective immediately, and all three will work out of Fountain's Edmonton corporate office.
Fountain CEO Brent Hesje said his company is committed to constant improvement.
"Customer experience is a focus throughout our company," Mr. Hesje said. "With an improved structure in place at head office, our store managers are better supported to focus on delivering exceptional customer service within our communities."
Mr. Herle is an accountant who has been with Fountain Tire for 26 years. He most recently was senior vice president, marketing, information systems and supply chain — areas of the business that contribute to the customer experience. He has experience across the company, ranging from store operations to real estate and expansion as well as wholesale.
In his new position, Mr. Herle will continue to focus on customer service.
Ms. de Kock Gordon joined Fountain Tire in 2004, and during those 17 years she held progressively larger roles in accounting, finance and information systems. In November 2017, Ms. de Kock Gordon was promoted to associate vice president finance, responsible for accounting and finance services provided to Fountain Tire businesses as well as corporate reporting, tax reporting and compliance, credit, cash management and national accounts.
As CFO, Ms. de Kock Gorden will oversee the directors of finance in business operations and programs as well as the director of legal and real estate.
