Dalton, GA, December 12, 2006-- J&J Industries has said that Jim Jolly will step down as chief executive officer, effective December 11, 2006.
Jolly, 65, whose father co-founded J&J, has been with the company for 40 years and has held the offices of chairman and CEO for the last 18 years. Jolly will remain as chairman of the board and will continue to be involved in the strategic direction of the company.
Jim Bethel, 61, currently president and chief operating officer, has been chosen by the board of directors to succeed Jolly as CEO and will also move up to the position of vice chairman. “Jim Bethel has served successfully in many progressive roles during his 27 years at J&J,” Jolly stated. “During these past few years under Jim’s direction as president, we have been working to transition leadership at J&J to a new level of senior management.”
With these changes, David Jolly, 40, has been appointed president and chief operating officer of the company. He most recently held the position of senior vice president, sales and marketing. Jolly joined J&J 15 years ago after college and a 3-year period of service with the U.S. Army. “David’s knowledge of our business and the industry as a whole is key to his promotion to president and COO,” said Jim Jolly.
“Jim and David have both done wonderful jobs and we look forward to their continued leadership and contributions in these new roles,” Mr. Jolly added. “J&J will celebrate its 50th anniversary in February of 2007 and we are just concluding our best year ever, so this is the perfect time to make these very positive changes. We have a great heritage at J&J and we are excited to continue that tradition with our new senior management team.”
