DELAWARE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--JEGS Automotive, Inc. announced today Jeffrey R. Hennion as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective Oct. 16.
“JEGS has a long tradition of success - with our customers, on the race track, and as a leading, high growth, e-commerce retailer,” said Jeg Coughlin, Jr., co-owner and VP of JEGS. “Based on the strength of our business and the JEGS brand, we felt that finding someone like Jeff would help us continue the successful trajectory and accelerate our growth to the next level.”
Hennion is an experienced leader, bringing nearly 30 years of corporate and e-commerce experience to JEGS. Most recently, Hennion was EVP, Chief Marketing & e-Commerce Officer of GNC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNC) leading, among other things, the vitamin and supplement chain’s efforts to launch the One New GNC business model. The strategy included a substantial realignment of the company’s e-commerce, omni-channel, pricing and loyalty programs across its 6,800 retail locations in the U.S., its e-commerce businesses and its wholesale relationships with other leading retailers.
Hennion has also held leadership positions at top growth retail, technology and industrial companies, including:
- 10 years at Dick’s Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) in a variety of roles including EVP, Chief Marketing & e-Commerce Officer and other positions leading marketing, e-commerce, finance and strategic planning;
- President & CFO of Branding Brand, the leading mobile commerce provider and mobile app developer to retail
- 11 years at Alcoa (NYSE: AA) in a variety of leadership roles in finance and treasury, including Assistant Treasurer of the company leading Alcoa’s global banking and trading operations.
Hennion has been a member of the Board of Directors of Briggs & Stratton Corp. (NYSE: BGG) since 2015 and acts as an advisor to a number of e-commerce startups and venture capital funds.
“The breadth of Jeff’s experience and depth of knowledge in the e-commerce space will complement the existing strength of the JEGS team and business,” said Coughlin. “We’re excited about the future of this business as we move even more confidently into the future.”
"I am thrilled to be joining one of the most iconic brands in the performance automotive and racing space,” said Hennion. “After more than 50 years of growth since Jeg Coughlin Sr. opened his speed shop, it’s not only a leader in the space today, but poised for incredible opportunity thanks to the strength of the JEGS team. I’m honored for the opportunity to be a part of the future at JEGS.”
About JEGS Automotive, Inc.
In 1960, Jeg Coughlin, Sr. opened the JEGS High Performance speed shop in Columbus, Ohio. Jeg was a racer, and his business was birthed from the struggle that he had finding quality parts for his own cars. He quickly became the leader in high performance parts in Central Ohio, and what began as simply building and tweaking engines for his buddies soon became a full-fledged retail business.
In 1988, Jeg’s four sons, John, Troy, Mike, and Jeg Jr., purchased the business from their father and, after several expansions, what began as a 4,000-sq. ft. speed shop quickly grew exponentially to be a leader in the e-commerce world of high performance automotive thanks in part to the JEGS complete commitment to taking care of its customers. JEGS.com has over 1 million SKU’s available for purchase, which are backed up by two state-of-the-art call centers staffed by experts in the performance automotive field.
JEGS Automotive, Inc. is also proud to support a race team (TEAM JEGS) led by the four Coughlin brothers that not only has brought home 8 NHRA World Championships, 16 Divisional Championships and 114 NHRA national event victories, making the team and the Coughlin family one of the most successful families in NHRA history, but also allows JEGS to bring that expertise to the business through its line of JEGS private label products as well as labeling numerous parts as “Track Tested.” TEAM JEGS also supports a NASCAR Truck team driven by Cody Coughlin.
The company is also proud to support the JEGS Foundation. Under the tagline of “Racing for Cancer Research,” the JEGS Foundation has brought financial support and national awareness to cancer research, including a $10 million grant in 2013 to Ohio State’s Foundation for Cancer Treatment & Research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Additional Resources:
- JEGS: http://www.JEGS.com
- TEAM JEGS: http://www.teamJEGS.com
- JEGS Foundation: http://www.JEGS.com/s/customercare/foundation.html
