AutoZone names Eric Gould EVP Merchandising as Bill Hackney plans November retirement
AutoZone said Executive Vice President Bill Hackney will retire effective November 7, 2025, and named Eric Gould, currently Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, as his successor effective August 25, 2025. The filing also discloses that Senior Vice President Human Resources Rick Smith will retire in January 2026, with Eric Leef joining from Hertz to succeed him. The changes affect senior management succession rather than reported financial results.
Key points
- Bill Hackney, EVP Merchandising, Marketing and Supply Chain, Customer Satisfaction, retires effective November 7, 2025
- Eric Gould, a 33-year AutoZone employee, appointed EVP Merchandising, Marketing and Supply Chain, effective August 25, 2025
- Rick Smith, SVP Human Resources, retires in January 2026; Eric Leef, formerly EVP Human Resources at Hertz, will succeed him
- Denise McCullough promoted to Senior Vice President, Supply Chain
The filing
Written by AI on Nov 8, 2026, 1:42 AM ET, from this filing only. Written later: this filing was briefed after the fact, when past filings were added to the site, so the brief may be read with hindsight; the filing itself is the record of what was known on August 28, 2025.
Briefs are written by AI from the filing text and can contain mistakes — open the filing before acting on anything. Impact (1-5) and tone are the AI's reading of the filing for shareholders, not a price forecast. Not investment advice.