Posted May 11, 2011
Phipps named president, CEO of United Stationers
United Stationers Inc. announced the election of P. Cody Phipps as president and chief executive officer.
He succeeds Richard W. Gochnauer, who announced in December his plans to retire after nine years with the company. Phipps has also been elected to the company's board of directors.
Phipps joined United in 2003 as senior vice president of operations and was promoted to president, United Stationers Supply division in 2006. He was named president and chief operating officer of United Stationers Inc. in September 2010. Phipps has been a key member of the leadership team that has enhanced shareholder value by defining and driving company growth strategies and achieving operating efficiencies.
Before joining United, Phipps was a partner in the Chicago office of McKinsey & Company and a leader in the firm's Global Operations Effectiveness Practice. He has an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from The Ohio State University.
"As I leave United, I am excited to have Cody assume leadership of the company and a strong management team," said Gochnauer. "I am confident that United's outstanding team of associates will continue to execute on the plans and strategies we have developed to enable the success of the business and all of our stakeholders. Cody has had full responsibility for the execution of our 2011 plan since the beginning of the year and is making great progress."
"Cody's extensive background in developing and implementing business strategies and his leadership skills make him an outstanding successor to Dick Gochnauer," said Frederick B. Hegi, chairman of the board. "Cody has the management qualities and insight to help us continue driving long-term profitable growth for our shareholders."
"I also want to thank Dick on behalf of the entire United Stationers family for all of his contributions over the past nine years," continued Hegi. "He has been an outstanding leader, demonstrating strong cultural values and a commitment to serving all of United's partners."
"My appointment to succeed Dick is a great honor and a great responsibility and I thank the board for their vote of confidence," said Phipps. "Together with a strong team of 6,000 associates, I am committed to building on United Stationers' strong foundation to realize the company's vast potential and to providing value for all of its stakeholders. It is rewarding to be part of United's growth and its evolution, and I look forward to the future."
