Grainger, the leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products serving businesses and institutions, has promoted Deidra “Dee” Merriwether from Senior Vice President and President, North American Sales and Services to Chief Financial Officer. Merriwether joined the company in 2013 as head of North America Finance. In 2017, she became head of U.S. Direct Sales and Pricing.
“Dee is a proven executive with a track record of delivering profitable growth,” said DG Macpherson, chairman and CEO of Grainger. “Her financial expertise and deep understanding of Grainger’s business operations will serve the company well as we execute our strategy and expand our leadership position. I would also like to thank Rob O’Keef for serving as our interim CFO and the entire Grainger finance team for leading through a smooth transition. Rob will resume his role as Vice President and Treasurer.”
The Grainger Business Unit will merge all commercial functions for the Grainger brand in North America into a single organization. This new structure will help drive profitable share gain and exceptional customer solutions across geographies.
“We keep the world working when we truly understand our customers’ needs and provide solutions that keep their operations running, protect their people, and save them time and money,” said Macpherson. “Integrating our sales, services and solutions functions into one business unit will help Grainger better support our customers with quicker, more coordinated decisions.
Deidra (Dee) Merriwether joined Grainger in 2013 as head of North America Finance. In 2017, she became head of US direct sales and pricing, leading the development and implementation of Grainger’s new pricing strategy, and reinvigorating the company’s relationships with large and medium customers throughout the United States. In 2020, she was named SVP and president, North American sales & services, where she has been responsible for Grainger’s sales, solutions and customer engagement strategies across North America. Prior to joining Grainger, Merriwether worked in various roles with Sears Holdings, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Eli Lilly, where she delivered consistent top quartile performance. She currently serves on the board of directors of Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world’s largest timberlands operators, as well as the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
W.W. Grainger, Inc., with 2019 sales of $11.5 billion, is North America’s leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products, with operations primarily in North America, Japan and Europe.
