Personnel Update:
Ace Hardware appointed John Venhuizen COO.
Do it Best Corp. promoted Scott Liggett to Application Development Manager within its Information Technology division.  In addition, Steve Rose joins Do it Best Corp. as its Safety Director in Human Resources in a newly created position.
Prior to joining Do it Best Corp., Rose spent the previous 10 years working within the retail logistics field for Wal-Mart Stores, focusing on safety and retail operations.
Lumber Liquidators has announced that Robert Lynch has succeeded the now retired Jeffrey Griffiths as CEO. As part of the company’s succession plan, Griffithsalso retired from the board of directors simultaneously.
McCoy’s Building Supply promoted Meagan McCoy Jones to the position of VP Field Support.
True Value has named Blake Fohl as its new VP Marketing and Chief Customer Officer. Fohl is replacing Carol Wentworth, who accepted a position with a non-competing company.  Most recently, Fohl was Chief Marketing Officer for Hancock Fabrics.
White Cap Construction Supply has announced the appointment of Ross Anker as VP Merchandising.
Industry Insight:
Barnes Hardware, an 82-year-old hardware store in Mableton, Ga.and a local institution, has closed operations.  The store was opened in 1929 by W. H. Barnes, the grandfather of former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes.
Ingersoll Hardware of Rocky River Ohio, a company that’s been around for 105 years, has closed down operations.

Mizell Lumber and Hardware in Kensington, MD, a company that once delivered plywood to the White House in a wagon drawn by horses, closed its doors for good after 90 years and four generations of family ownership. Competition from home center warehouses combined with the poor economy were described as key reasons for the business struggle.
Moxham Hardware, a 104-year-old hardware store in Johnstown, Pa., has closed. Owner John Cotchen, 83, is retiring. Moxham Hardware originally opened in 1907.
Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corp. announced that its spin-off from Sears Holdings Corporation was completed Dec. 30, 2011. Trading of Orchard’s Class A Common Stock began the first day of the new year under the symbol “OSH”.  
Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corp. announced the company plans to open up to three new stores and remodel up to six locations. 
Parker Lumber is closing in Maitland, Fla.after 77 years, to make way for a commuter rail station.  Lumber orders and hardware sales have declined since 2006. The business was started by the great-grandfather of the current owner as a sawmill in 1934.
Parr Lumber has announced the opening of another lumberyard on Dec. 14, 2011. The new location, in Marysville, Wash., will replace the Everett, Wash.store.
Red River Lumber in Texarkana, Texas, recently joined LMC’s (Lumbermen’s Merchandising Corp) network of independent lumberyards.
Rocky’s Ace Hardware opened its newest store in Westfield, Mass.