LIST OF FOUNDERS & CEOS OF THE HOME DEPOT
- Bernard Marcus and Arthur Blank (co-founders)
- Robert Nardelli (became CEO in 2000)
- Frank Blake (replaced Nardelli as CEO in 2007)
- Craig Menear (replaced Blake as CEO in 2014)
- Ted Decker (replaced Menear as CEO in 2022, with Menear continuing as Chairman)
BERNARD MARCUS & ARTHUR BLANK (CO-FOUNDERS)
As respected business pioneers, Bernard Marcus and Arthur Blank established The Home Depot in 1978 as co-founders of the company.
With a unique vision to create expansive home improvement superstores, they launched the first two Home Depot stores in 1979 after securing necessary capital from investment banker Ken Langone.
Guiding the company in its formative early years, Marcus and Blank ambitiously grew their startup into a regional powerhouse during the 1980s.
They led Home Depot's rapid expansion across the Southeast and then nationally, eventually surpassing competitor Lowe's as the nation's top home improvement retailer by 1989.
Both well-regarded for their business acumen and leadership, Marcus and Blank instilled a strong corporate culture grounded in excellent customer service and giving back to local communities.
Their principles steered the company's dedication to employees and establishment of The Home Depot Foundation for charitable community growth.
As pioneering entrepreneurs who transformed the retail landscape, Marcus and Blank built The Home Depot from humble beginnings into an industry giant that today generates over $100 billion in annual revenues with over 400,000 employees.
Their early leadership and persisting influence as co-founders fueled Home Depot's rise to retail dominance.
ROBERT NARDELLI
As a commanding executive tapped to shepherd continued growth, Robert Nardelli took the reins as CEO and President of The Home Depot in 2000.
He brought years of experience shaping major corporations like GE to guide the home improvement giant into the 21st century.
Nardelli led an ambitious expansion plan, rapidly opening new stores and acquiring related supply chains like HD Supply to extend Home Depot's reach.
Revenue and stock valuations climbed to new highs by the mid-2000s. However, some critics argued that Nardelli expanded too aggressively and his hard-charging style prioritized profits over staff morale.
After clashes with the board of directors, Nardelli and Home Depot mutually agreed to part ways in early 2007.
While legacy is debated, none dispute the considerable influence Nardelli leveraged in 7 years atop the world's largest home improvement retailer.
His tenure guided rapid growth through acquisition and expansion, even if staff retention issues emerged, before passing the reins.
FRANK BLAKE
As a steady hand taking the helm, Frank Blake replaced Robert Nardelli as CEO of Home Depot in 2007. He brought a more collaborative leadership approach aimed to boost staff morale after concerns emerged under Nardelli.
Blake led strategic shifts like divesting HD Supply wholesale and restructuring store operations to sharpen Home Depot’s focus on core retail business through the late 2000s recession.
He also oversaw continued growth into new markets and prioritized environmental initiatives like compact fluorescent light recycling.
Widely praised for his more participative leadership style, Blake steered Home Depot to new heights while navigating challenging economic conditions.
He guided the company across 7 years of consistent growth before passing the CEO title to Craig Menear in 2014, though Blake continued contributing as Chairman of the Board in an advisory role.
CRAIG MENEAR
As a long-tenured executive ascending to the top role, Craig Menear replaced Frank Blake as CEO of Home Depot in 2014.
He brought over 30 years of company experience in various operations, merchandising and vice president positions.
Building on Blake’s success, Menear led Home Depot’s continued innovation into integrated digital retail with acquisitions of tech-focused firms like Interline Brands to complement physical stores.
He also oversaw further expansion of distribution centers to grow online order fulfillment capabilities.
Praised for his deep expertise of Home Depot’s business and vision to evolve with shifting retail dynamics, Menear guided the company to consistent annual growth through 2020.
After 8 years governing record revenues, he transitioned the CEO title to Ted Decker in 2022 while staying on as Chairman of the Board in an ongoing leadership capacity.
TED DECKER
As a successor picked to usher in the next era, Ted Decker took over from Craig Menear as CEO of Home Depot in 2022.
Decker was a rising executive vice president with years steering profitable retail strategies for the company.
Taking the reins, Decker inherited strong growth momentum yet also faces shifting consumer patterns and economic winds.
He brings expertise in merchant sales, store operations and strategic vision honed from prior division leadership roles.
While Menear continues contributing guidance as Home Depot's Chairman, Decker's tenure as CEO has just begun.
He will aim to expand on the company's strengths while adapting its vast physical and digital retail ecosystem to serve evolving customer needs into the 2020s and beyond. The years ahead will test Decker's acumen to lead Home Depot's next chapter.
