Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> October 6, 1999
LARRY MERCER joined The Home Depot in 1979 as an Assistant Store Manager
and soon began rising through the Company's management ranks. In 1983,
he was promoted to Regional Manager of central Florida (he is a native
Floridian) and later was promoted to Vice President of the East Coast
Store Operations. In 1991, he became President of the Northeast Division
where he served the company until March 1996 at which time he was
promoted to and currently serves in the capacity of Executive Vice
President of Store Operations. In February 1998, Mr. Mercer's position
and title with the company was expanded to include Group President. All
total, he has over 30 years experience in retailing. Mr. Mercer is
currently Chairman of The Home Depot's Political Action Committee (PAC)
and Better Government Committees. He serves as the company's senior
management representative for the Hands On Atlanta Day project with
their partner school, West Fulton Middle School. He also serves on its
Advisory Board and will be assisting with the Hands On School
campaigning this year. In November 1998, Mr. Mercer served as Vice
Chairman for the American Heart Association's Heart Walk for the second
year in a row. He solicited participation in the walk from other Atlanta
corporations and recruited Home Depot associates to participate. Mr.
Mercer serves as the Chairman for YouthBuild USA's Tools for
Transformation Campaign Committee. YouthBuild USA is an innovative
program that teaches at-risk youths who have never completed high school
to transform abandoned buildings in their community into affordable
housing. Participants in YouthBuild USA also attend academic classes
which prepare them to obtain a GED or high school diploma. Mr. Mercer's
passions are running and golf. He has run in numerous marathons. He ran
the New York City Marathon in November 1996, the Twin Cities Marathon in
Minneapolis in 1997, and the Boston Marathon in April 1998. Mr. Mercer
has also been instrumental in the promotion of Home Depot's Building
Better Health (BBH) facility which is available to all Home Depot
employees. Mr. Mercer has two grown sons. Prior to joining The Home
Depot, Mr. Mercer was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. Profile
Depot, the company's history, products, services, customers, please.
Mr. Mercer: The Home Depot is celebrating its 20th
