Boone, North Carolina-based ECRS and its board of directors has announced the appointment of Caroline Catoe to the position of president. She will succeed her father, Pete Catoe, the founder of ECRS, who has held the position for 32 years.
Pete Catoe will retain the role of CEO and continue to act as the company visionary while his daughter will preside over the day-to-day leadership of the growing business.
“This move allows me to do what I love doing most, which is to create and drive valuable innovations for our retail community,” Pete Catoe said. “ECRS needs someone who is absolutely committed to daily leadership. I am certain Caroline is prepared and is the right person to take this on.”
Like many second-generation family business operators, Caroline Catoe has worked in many capacities at ECRS over her 15-year tenure. Prior to her current role, she held positions in technical support, project management, marketing, customer care and training.
In a statement, ECRS’ board of directors noted that Caroline Catoe has been “at the center of the most important corporate decisions and policy enhancements. She has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the company and the capacity to lead multiple departments to success within the marketplace.”
For her part, Caroline Catoe said she believes that small businesses “create a strong foundation for our economy.”
“[They] have a unique advantage in terms of flexibility and longevity and most of all the value they return to their customers and employees,” she said. “What other businesses have the opportunity to develop the next generation of leadership over years of shared experiences and values?
“I am excited to work alongside my father in this new capacity and I am fully committed to carrying out our enduring vision for ECRS – an independent, and prosperous enterprise, with a long-term dedication to our retailers, to our employees, and to our local communities.”
For more information, visit ecrs.com.
