W. W. Grainger, Inc. announced this week that president James T. Ryan will add the duties and title of CEO, effective June 1. Part of the company’s planned succession process, Ryan will succeed Richard L. Keyser. Keyser will remain with the company as chairman of the board.
Ryan was named chief operating officer and appointed to the board of directors in February 2007. He became president of Grainger in 2006 and has served in increasingly responsible roles in virtually every part of the company since joining it in 1980. He holds an MBA with distinction from DePaul University in Chicago.
“Jim has deep industry experience and the energy, discipline and passion for continuing Grainger’s growth and profitability into the future,” Keyser said. “I am confident he will keep Grainger’s values and mission in the forefront of his decision-making process, providing great service to those customers who maintain, repair and operate facilities.”

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