The Ross Stores board of directors named James Conroy as it next CEO, succeeding Barbara Rentler, who will move to an advisory role effective February 2, 2025.
Conroy (pictured above) will join Ross on December 2 as CEO-elect. He also will become a board member at that time, the company reported.
Since 2012, Conroy has served as president and CEO of Boot Barn, a lifestyle retailer specializing in western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children. Boot Barn has more than 400 locations in 46 of the United States as well as an e-commerce operation.
Conroy’s appointment follows a comprehensive search process launched when Ross announced its long-term CEO succession plan in June 2023, the company noted. As part of the previously announced succession plan, Rentler will remain in an advisory role focused on merchandising strategies through March 31, 2027.
In announcing Conroy’s appointment, Michael Balmuth, Ross executive chairman, said, “We are excited to welcome Jim (Conroy) to Ross as we build on our long history of profitable growth. Jim is a proven retail executive with a demonstrated record of developing and leading successful retail management teams and creating tremendous value for shareholders. We also are confident that Jim’s track record of leveraging customer-centric retail strategies to maximize top- and bottom-line results will help drive our company’s profitable growth and shareholder value over the near and long term.”
