Canadian outdoor gear retailer MEC promoted COO Peter Hlynsky to CEO, succeeding Eric Claus, who led the retailer during the filing for creditor protection and sale to U.S.-based private investment firm Kingswood Capital Management.
Hlynsky has been with the company since November 2020 as chief financial officer and chief operations officer.
“I would like to take this time to thank Eric, he leaves us in an excellent place in terms of progress and stability”, said Hlynsky. “In the past three years, we have grown the business through a period of unpredictability in the marketplace, overhauled operations systems, opened new stores and, this month, we are completing the move to a new, larger distribution centre in Western Canada. Importantly, beyond our walls, we have regained brand trust with our long-time members and new brand fans, as evidenced by the Gustavson Brand Trust Index. We know MEC has always been held to a high standard and it has been three years of passion, dedication, and hard work from our staff across the country to get us here today. It is my honour to lead our teams into the next chapter of MEC.”
“I am really proud of our whole team and what has been accomplished over the last three years, and I know that Peter is the right leader to carry MEC forward,” said Claus. “He understands MEC’s values and culture and has the acumen and experience to ensure continued financial stability and sustained growth. I could not be more confident in MEC’s next phase of growth under Peter’s stewardship.”
Claus will remain on the MEC board in an advisory capacity.
Photo courtesy MEC
