La Habra, Calif. – CE and majap retail veteran John Wilkerson was named president/CEO of Howard’s TV & Appliance, the L.A.-area big-box chain.
Wilkerson was tapped after what the company described as a long search with many interviews. He fills a role once held by long-time president Judy Lawrence and, more recently, Bill Pleasant.
Wilkerson brings more than two decades of retail experience, including nine years as executive VP/general manager of New Jersey’s Karl’s Appliance, which was sold to wholesale plumbing distributor Ferguson last year.
Before that he served as executive VP/COO at Bernie’s, once the leading TV and appliance specialty chain in New England.
Wilkerson also spent a year as a sales VP at the storied Nobody Beats the Wiz chain in New York and two years as a VP at national furniture chain Levitz.
He assumes the top spot at Howard’s as the 12-superstore chain expands into new categories such as bedding and premium appliances and adds new locations throughout greater L.A.
The employee-owned business, started as a radio repair shop in the back of a sporting goods store in 1946 by Howard Roach, ranks 88th on TWICE’s Top 100 CE Retailers listing and 26th on our Top 50 Major Appliance Retailers report.
In an email to employees and vendors, VP/general manager Mike Sanchez welcomed Wilkerson by noting, “We are confident that John will greatly enhance what we have all worked so hard to accomplish. John will help Howard’s become our markets’ preferred destination for TVs, beds and appliances for years to come.”
