AutoZone president Bill Rhodes announced he was relinquishing those roles at the end of 2023. His replacement was named, as well: Philip B. Daniele III, who was promoted to president from serving as EVP of Merchandising, Marketing, and Supply Chain. Now, Memphis-based AutoZone has announced further executive changes that draw into focus how Daniele, a three-decade veteran of the auto parts giant, plans to structure his senior leadership team.

At the top, Tom Newbern is being promoted from EVP of Operations, Sales, and Technology to chief operating officer. And Jamere Jackson is being promoted from chief financial officer and EVP of Finance and Store Development to simply CFO. Jackson will continue to lead Finance and Store Development, an AutoZone release said, but the changes are more than just cosmetic.

AutoZone also chose Bill Hackney to step into Daniele's former EVP position. Hackney has been with the company for 38 years and is currently SVP of Merchandising. Hackney had retired at the end of 2020 but returned to AutoZone in October 2022 after his replacement had resigned.

The company also announced the retirement of three members of its executive committee. AutoZone is searching for replacements for McGee and Saltiel, the release said, while Pleas' position would be restructured. Rhodes is set to become executive chairman in January 2024.

AutoZone is the third-largest locally based public company, and Rhodes helped to expand its footprint to more than 7,000 stores across the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil. AutoZone now has about 115,000 employees, having grown immensely under Rhodes' leadership. He was named president and CEO in 2005 and chairman in 2007.