Smith’s Consumer Products Hires New CEO, Opens Nashville Office

Smith’s Consumer Products has hired Beau Parker to replace former CEO Dan Glidden, who retired effective April 30, 2015. The company also announced it will be opening a new office in Nashville, Tenn., with all Operations & Supply Chain remaining in Hot Springs. Several key promotions and a new hire have also been made. 

Beau Parker assumes the CEO position and is responsible for strategic direction of all Smith’s divisions, including Smith’s® sporting goods and the housewares brands, KitchenIQ™ and Firewire®. Parker most recently was the GM of Oreck and TTI, and prior to that, was president of Power Tool Accessories at Stanley Black & Decker. Effective immediately, Mark Adkison, formerly VP of global sales for the company, has been promoted to chief marketing officer, a newly created position. Adkison will oversee all marketing initiatives for the company, head product development and will report directly to Beau Parker. He will be charged with driving long-term expansion tied to new categories, innovation and future marketing. 

Jeff Scanlon, formerly of Newell Rubbermaid and TTI Floor Care, was hired as vice president of global sales. He reports directly to Beau Parker. Scanlon’s background includes selling to and driving significant growth at mass retail, grocery, outdoor and department stores. In addition, Karl Russ (formerly V.P. of finance) was named chief financial & operations officer. Sandi Skillern was promoted to controller, and Rick Karnbach was promoted to director of operations.