Ace Hardware Corporation, the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world, announced an update to the company’s Board of Directors stemming from the heartfelt passing of board member James (Jimmy) Nichols earlier this month. As a result of this board vacancy, the directors appointed Shawn O’Brien to the company’s Board of Directors. O’Brien will fulfill the remainder of Nichols’ term.

“I am honored to welcome Shawn O’Brien to the Board of Directors at Ace Hardware,” said Steve Burggraf, Chairman of the Board, Ace Hardware Corporation. “While we deeply mourn the loss of our friend and colleague Jimmy Nichols, we are confident that Shawn’s leadership and commitment to Ace will honor Jimmy’s legacy and propel us forward.”

O’Brien is the owner of Ace Hardware Co, the four-store Maxbauer Ace Hardware chain located in the Traverse City, Mich., area. Maxbauer Ace Hardware was started in 1954 by Bill and John Maxbauer.  O’Brien started working for the Maxbauer family in 1985 when he was a senior in high school. When he finished college in 1990, O’Brien returned to Maxbauer Ace Hardware as a Store Manager and was then promoted to Operations Manager for three stores. In 2015, he purchased the stores from Don Maxbauer and Joan Boyd. The fourth Maxbauer Ace Hardware will open in January 2025. 

O’Brien was previously Group Leader for the Northern Michigan Ace Dealers, NOMAD, and is currently its advertising chair. O’Brien graduated from Michigan State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising Management, with a focus on Marketing.

“I’m very excited to be appointed to the Board of Directors for Ace Hardware Corporation,” said O'Brien. “I look forward to working with the Board, Officer team, and Retailers to continue growing this great Co-op.”

About Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,900 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 60 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; and Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico. Since 1924, Ace has been a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com.