Dog boarding and daycare group Dogtopia Enterprises has just announced that David K. Lenhardt, former CEO and President of PetSmart, is joining their board of directors. Lenhardt worked for PetSmart for more than 14 years before leaving in 2015, after the company went private.
Peter H. Thomas, Dogtopia Board Chairman, said that the company is pleased to have the former PetSmart CEO join its talented board of directors. According to Thomas, Lenhardt's vast business experience and pet industry leader status will have a strong impact on Dogtopia and its strategic vision.
Dogtopia President and CEO Neil Gill echoed Thomas' excitement, noting that Lenhardt will prove valuable when it comes to growing the brand. Gill also said that he is hopeful Lenhardt's experience and skills will help Dogtopia make decisions about its future and reach its goals, particularly the ones involving the brand's expansion into retail.
Lenhardt has extensive business experience and has been in the pet industry for years. From 1996 to 2000, he was the manager for Bain & Company, Inc., heading up consultation teams for e-commerce, retail and tech clients. He served in many senior leaderships at PetSmart from 2000 on, and he also worked as an analyst in Merrill Lynch & Co.’s investment banking sector. In addition to his new role at Dogtopia, Lenhardt currently serves as a director for Phoenix Children’s Hospital. He is also a former Banfield Pet Hospital board member.
The pet industry is booming, and Dogtopia is right on the pulse of the market. The brand closed 2016 with a strong 19.2 percent boost in comparable sales. More than 60 locations have now been sold and 44 are currently open, so the company is on track to have 75 locations open and operating by December of 2017 across new major markets. If you want to learn more about the Dogtopia opportunity, visit the franchise information portal BetheBoss.ca today.
