Fort Wayne, Ind.—Do it Best Corp. announced that Jay Brown has been named as vice president of retail development.

Brown brings more than 20 years of retail home improvement experiences to his position at Do it Best Corp.  Since June 2004, he served as the co-op’s vice president of merchandising, and was instrumental in the opening of two global buying offices in Asia, bringing changes to the bi-annual markets including the Friday Night Sneak Peek and Power Tool University, and a more structured merchant focus including a consistent line review process. Prior to that he served as senior general manager, consumer brands for Valspar Corporation, where he managed the company’s direct, two-step, and private label divisions generating more than $100 million in annual sales. 

“In his previous position, Jay was instrumental in creating merchandising programs and services that helped our member-owners become more successful,” said Bob Taylor, Do it Best Corp. president and CEO.  “He has done an outstanding job as vice president of merchandising and we know he will bring that same energy and enthusiasm to his new role with our field staff.  I look forward to his continued commitment to our members.”

Based in Fort Wayne, Ind., Do it Best Corp. is the only U.S.-based, member-owned hardware, lumber and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry.  With annual sales of $3 billion, Do it Best Corp. is the second largest co-op in the industry, serving 4,100 member-retailers in the United States and in 45 foreign countries.