Do it Best Corp. elected three member-owners to their first terms on the co-op’s 12-person board: Rob Gardiner, Scott Pesavento, and Bob Vaughan.
Gardiner serves as the president of Maine-based Damariscotta Hardware and Randolph Hardware. Gardiner entered the family business at 12 and eventually worked to transition ownership from his father. While the store in Damariscotta experienced success, Gardiner opened a second location in Randolph in 2014.
Pesavento is the third-generation owner of Hemlock Hardware in Fairfield, Conn. According to Do It Bet, Pesaento’s business is built on the principles of respect, effort, and kindness. The store has been recognized locally for its focus on safety and community service and Hemlock Hardware routinely makes Fairfield County’s Best Hardware Store list.
Vaughan serves as the CEO of Alamo Lumber Company and has helped grow the company to 15 locations across southern Texas. Vaughan’s “all-in” support of Do It Best routinely earns Alamo Lumber Company rebates that exceed $1 million annually, according to a news release.
In addition to the three first-term board members, Michael Cohen, co-CEO of Panama Do it Center of Panama, was re-elected to a third term on the board.
In addition to Cohen, Gardiner, Pesavento, and Vaughan, the 2021 board also comprises Eli Bliffert of Bliffert Lumber and Hardware in Milwaukee, Wis., Doug Mans of Mans Lumber and Millwork in Canton, Mich., Brad McDaniel of McDaniel’s Do it Center in Snohomish, Wash., Diana Newton of Bay Hardware and Lunada Bay Hardware in Seal Beach, Calif., Jeff Pardini of Hills Flat Lumber in Grass Valley, Calif., Tim Post of T & M Hardware & Rental in Ellwood City, Pa., David Sturdivant of Russell Do it Center in Alexander City, Ala., and Joe Taylor of Pleasants Hardware and Taylor’s Do it Center in Virginia Beach, Va. Mans will serve as the board’s chair, Taylor will serve as the vice chair, Cohen will serve as the board secretary, and Sturdivant will serve as the board’s treasurer.
“I’m extremely proud of the diverse experiences and business types that are brought to our board of directors,” outgoing board chair Brad McDaniel said in a prepared statement. “Our board consists only of Do it Best member-owners so the work we do is focused only in great service to helping all of our members grow their businesses. Rob, Scott, and Bob will be great additions and I’m even more confident in our future as I turn the gavel over to Doug Mans, our new board chair.”
Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Do It Best Corp. is a member-owned, fully integrated hardware, lumber, and building materials buying cooperative. The company generates annual sales nearing $4 billion and serves thousands of member-owned locations across the United States and internationally.
