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Dollar Tree Begins Planned Leadership Succession

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As part of discount variety store operator Dollar Tree Inc.’s planned leadership succession, Bob Sasser, the company’s CEO since 2004, assumed the role of executive chairman of the board, effective Sept. 18. Macon Brock will remain on the board and has been named chairman emeritus.

Sasser, age 65, joined Dollar Tree in 1999 as COO. He was promoted to president and COO in 2001, and to president and CEO in 2004. During Sasser’s tenure, Dollar Tree has grown from a company with 18,000 employees; fewer than 1,200 stores in 33 states; four distribution centers; and less than $1 billion in annual sales to a Fortune 150 company with nearly 180,000 employees; more than 14,500 retail stores; and an international supply chain with 24 distribution centers across North America. For 2017, revenues are projected to exceed $22 billion. The company completed six acquisitions during Sasser’s tenure, including the $9.1 billion acquisition of Family Dollar Stores Inc. in 2015. Dollar Tree’s market capitalization has grown from approximately $2.3 billion to $19.8 billion during this time.

“I am extremely proud of our company and especially the 180,000 associates that work hard, delivering value and convenience to millions of customers every day. Our people make Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores among the best retailers in North America,” said Sasser. “We have built a solid and scalable infrastructure. We have room to grow and tremendous opportunities to serve more customers in more ways, while increasing returns for our long-term shareholders. Our company’s future has never been brighter!”

Effective Sept. 18, Gary Philbin, enterprise president, was promoted to president and CEO of Dollar Tree and appointed to the board of directors. Philbin, age 60, joined Dollar Tree in 2001 as SVP of stores. He was promoted to COO in 2007, and to president and COO in 2013. In July 2015, Philbin assumed the role of president and COO of Family Dollar upon its acquisition by Dollar Tree. In January 2017, Philbin was promoted to enterprise president with responsibilities for both Dollar Tree and Family Dollar banners.

Sasser said, “Gary has been a tremendous business partner to me for the past fifteen years. We share the same values, have a common vision for Dollar Tree’s future, and are aligned on strategic initiatives and priorities to achieve the company’s business goals. Succession planning has been an important part of Dollar Tree’s organizational efforts and culture for many years. Working with our board of directors, I have been planning leadership succession for some time and we are confident this will be a seamless transition, both inside and outside of the company. Our board of directors and leadership team have complete confidence in Gary’s ability to lead Dollar Tree through its next phases of growth.”

“Bob has led Dollar Tree to industry-leading returns for shareholders and success for all of our stakeholders,” said Philbin. “Bob’s vision has transformed Dollar Tree from a small, regional retailer to a world class, Fortune 150 Company across the United States and Canada. Our retail business model can operate successfully in tough times and good times, as we have demonstrated under Bob’s leadership as CEO.

“I am honored to lead 180,000 dedicated associates that have made the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar brands the trusted solution for so many of our customers’ needs. They live our vision to serve and delight our customers every day. We have a strong, dedicated and capable leadership team in place to grow and improve both banners for many years. We look forward to driving our performance, delivering value to long-term shareholders and providing opportunity for our many associates across the U.S. and Canadian markets.”

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