Michael P. McDermott will be appointed as President Omni-Channel Retail for Bass Pro Shops - Cabela’s, replacing longtime president Jim Hagale.
McDermott will begin his new role immediately. The announcement was made by Bass Pro Shops founder/CEO Johnny Morris.
For the last five years, McDermott held multiple high level positions at Lowe’s, one of the world’s leading retailers, a $70 billion Fortune 47 company with 310,000 employees. Lowe’s serves more than 25 million home improvement customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“I couldn’t be more excited or honored than I am today,” McDermott said. “To join Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s and have the opportunity to work with the outdoor retail visionary, Johnny Morris, and the tens of thousands of wonderful outfitters and team members is a dream come true. I have always believed that nothing in business is more important than putting the customer at the center of everything, and I’m thrilled to be joining a company that has set the standard for customer experience.”
Bass Pro Shops founder and CEO Johnny Morris flanked by Jim Hagale (left) and Mike McDermott. (Photo: Bass Pro Shops)
Morris saluted Hagale's longtime service and loyalty with Bass Pro.
"Jim steadfastly served our company, our people and our customers for almost 17 years and made an immeasurable positive impact," Morris said. "His wisdom, devotion to customers and love of the outdoors made him an ideal leader for Bass Pro. Just one of countless examples, Hagale played the pivotal role working with the city of Memphis to transform the Pyramid sports arena into Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, one of the largest and most immersive retail stores in the world. Jim also served the vital role as Chief Integration Officer, helping to unite the two iconic outdoor brands Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s.
“It would be impossible for me to thank Jim for everything he has done to help make Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s and our White River Marine Group what it is today,” Morris said. “He has been a great leader, a tireless worker and, on a personal side, a wonderful friend. We will continue to rely on his counsel and wish him all the best as he transitions to a new life where he has more time to spend with his family, especially his 13 grandchildren.”
McDermott began his Lowe’s career as SVP General Merchandise Manager, where he managed $25 billion in combined businesses and supported the company’s transition from a more limited home improvement retailer to a universal home improvement company.
In 2014, he became Chief Merchandising Officer, where he directed global development and execution of all aspects of merchandise assortment, service selection, pricing, promotion, credit and sourcing activities. Most recently, McDermott served as Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, where he co-owned the P&L of the U.S. business and supported a multi-billion-dollar investment strategy and marketing budget. He was a key member of the executive leadership team responsible for articulating and executing a compelling omni-channel customer experience. He managed an $850 million marketing budget with expertise in campaign development, agency management, loyalty creation and traffic generation.
“The success of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s is based on exceptional customer service, great products and highly creative marketing," Morris said. "That’s Mike’s wheelhouse. Mike is a humble man of great character who will be true to our core values while leading us to new heights in full-spectrum Omni Channel to maintain our position of leadership. Mike has earned a reputation of being a good listener and we are truly honored to have such an experienced, yet down-to-earth, customer focused leader join our company."
In his role as Executive VP and Chief Customer officer for Lowe’s since 2013, he led an executive team of 1,500 whose purpose was to create outstanding customer experiences and differentiate Lowe’s in a competitive environment. The team’s responsibilities included merchandising, sourcing, marketing, digital, customer service and business strategy. Lowe’s stock price went up 125% in his five-year tenure. McDermott was particularly successful at establishing exclusive relationships with some of the world’s most admired brands, including Sherwin Williams, John Deere, 3M and Samsung.
McDermott joined Lowe’s from General Electric, where he spent 20 years in positions of increasing responsibility spanning sales, marketing, product management, general management and senior leadership of the major appliance business.
