Vero Beach, Fla. — Boston Retail Solutions (formerly known as Boston Barricade) has announced that Bob Putnam plans to retire at the end of 2022 after 30 years with the company. He will become a special advisor to the board of directors. Randy Ahlm, the current COO of Boston Retail Solutions, has been named the new CEO.
Since founding the company in 1992, Putnam built the company into a market leader for retail solutions, including modular barricades, large-scale graphics and vehicle wraps. He expanded the company’s national footprint, made strategic acquisitions and guided the business through some challenging economic times, most recently the COVID-19 pandemic.
“On behalf of the board of directors and Boston Retail Solutions’ 200 employee-owners, we want to thank Bob for his leadership and impact over his more than three decades with the organization,” says Rick Cope, chairman of the board of Boston Retail Solutions. “A steadfast and bold leader, Bob has built a terrific company. The team is sincerely grateful to Bob for his dedication to our company and wishes him the best in this next chapter.”
Ahlm’s selection as CEO by the board of directors is based on his 20+ years in executive leadership and demonstrated ability to rapidly scale similar size businesses. His history of building customer-focused teams and implementing operational excellence makes Ahlm the right person to be the next CEO.
SOURCE: Boston Retail Solutions