Blain’s Announces New Leadership

Blain’s Farm & Fleet® has announced the promotion of Mark Hasting to Chief Executive Officer and President. The company will promote Kim Treece to Chief Stores Officer. Jane Blain Gilbertson will take on a new role as Executive Chair of the Board and will remain the sole owner of Blain’s Farm & Fleet and Blain Supply, Inc.  

These promotions demonstrate the company’s commitment to growing as a family-owned organization, treating customers like neighbors and associates like family. “The most important thing a leader must do is to plan for the organization’s next great leader,” says Jane Blain Gilbertson. “This succession plan was put into place 4 years ago when we hired Mark to join our company as our Chief of Stores. From the beginning, the entire company and our vendor partners could see Mark’s character, values, intelligence and love for this business. His humility and curiosity allowed him to quickly learn our business, and I was especially pleased to see his strength in developing others!” 

The transition will take place over the next several months and will complete in September. “We will transition over the summer, allowing me to visit every one of our 45 beloved stores and each of our distribution centers,” says Jane Blain Gilbertson. “I want a chance to say thank you to all of the amazing associates that serve our neighbors every day, and my daughters, who both work in our business, will join me for a number of these visits.”

Mark Hasting

Mark Hasting originally joined the company in 2020 as Chief Stores Officer, overseeing Store and Auto Service Center Operations. In 2022, he became Chief Commerce & Operating Officer, expanding his responsibilities to include eCommerce Operations, Real Estate, Construction and Facilities, and the Customer Service Center of Excellence. In 2023, he was promoted to President and Chief Commerce & Operating Officer, expanding his responsibilities to include Demand Planning and Supply Chain, and assuming a more strategic role in the company’s leadership.

He will have responsibility for all aspects of Blain’s Farm & Fleet and Blain Supply, Inc. in his new role. He will continue to have support from the Independent Board with Jane Blain Gilbertson now taking on the role of Executive Chair of the Board. “This is the perfect arrangement,” says Nicole Gilbertson, daughter of Jane Blain Gilbertson and Project Management Specialist at Blain’s. “I’m happy to see my mother take more time for herself to travel and enjoy life, and I’m glad she is going to continue to play an important role on the Board. Mark is a strong leader, and with Mark leading the company and my mother leading the Board, and, of course, the entire family supporting him, we will have excellent balance and synergy.”

Kim Treece

Kim Treece, formerly Sr. Vice-President of Stores, has been promoted to Chief Stores Officer. In her new role, she will oversee all Stores and Auto Service Centers, as well as Real Estate, Construction, Facilities, and the Customer Service Center of Excellence. “I chose Kim to fill my previous role due to her enthusiasm and positive influence on store associates,” says Mark Hasting. “Kim has a strong background in retail with 33 years in store and merchandising roles at Walgreens, but it is her compassionate leadership that makes her really shine.” 

“We have full confidence in Mark and Kim,” says Sarah Gilbertson, daughter of Jane Blain Gilbertson and Customer Relationship Marketing Specialist at Blain’s. “The core of our family culture is that we treat our associates like family and our customers like neighbors, and Mark and Kim embrace that whole-heartedly.” Nicole Gilbertson states, “My sister and I are committed to maintaining Blain’s as a high-performing family-owned business.” These changes provide the leadership we need to continue to grow while keeping family at the center of the organization.”

Jane Blain Gilbertson

Under Jane’s leadership, Blain’s has driven huge growth in national Ecommerce business and opened 10 new stores, including 5 in Michigan, for a total of 45 stores. The Blain’s associate family has grown from approximately 3,500 to 5,500 employees. The company’s investment in technology enhancements and distribution capacity has increased significantly as well, with distribution capacity increasing 50% to manage ongoing growth. Jane has been a strong advocate for promoting a customer-centric approach, or as Blain’s calls it “Neighbor-Focused”, which has led to innovations in Drive Thru Pick Up, Same-Day Delivery and the Blain’s app, making shopping even more convenient.

“You will get run over if you stand still. I am proud of the growth and innovation we have cultivated,” says Jane Blain Gilbertson. “In fact, these leadership changes are part of that plan for growth. 4 years ago, when we hired Mark, it was our desire to have a clear succession strategy as we were planning toward this transition. It is exciting to see it come to fruition.”