E.C. Barton & Company announced that during the December 2018 Board of Directors meeting, four new Directors were appointed. Joining the Board of Directors are Blake Barber, Kevin Pierce, Henry Torres and Willis Tyler. The Board is responsible for providing strategic counsel and guidance for the future of the company.

Several recent retirements created openings to be filled by the existing board. The Board of Directors is also comprised of Chris Gardner, Chairman of the Board, Steve Brimner, President, CEO and Director, Gary Beasley, CFO and Director, Mark Belk, Director and Stacy Greene, Director

“I am proud to announce the newest members to the E.C. Barton and Company Board of Directors,” said Chris Gardner, Chairman of the Board. “The appointments bring diverse and valuable resources to our Board and management team. These new directors along with our five existing members will guide our path and help build on our Mission, Vision and Core Values.”

Blake Barber is the owner and co-founder of Ashley Lighting, founded in 1986 along with his father Jim Barber to provide lighting fixtures to the hospitality market. The company has expanded from a small store front in Lake City, AR with three employees to an international company with a 70,000-square foot warehouse and manufacturing facility located in Trumann, AR. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Arkansas State University. Blake is a Past president and current member of the ASU Letterman Board and serves on the Red Wolf Foundation Board. A native of Lake City, Blake currently resides in Jonesboro with his wife Shawna Starnes Barber.

Kevin Pierce has served as the Vice President of Operations for E.C. Barton and Company since 2008. Pierce joined E.C. Barton & Company in 2007 as Assistant Controller & Special Projects, before moving into operations as District Manager. He has a Bachelor of Science in Business from Arkansas State University. Prior to joining E.C. Barton & Company Pierce was in finance roles with American Railcar Industries, Nucor- Yamato Steel Company, and Northeast Arkansas Federal Credit Union. He also previously owned two businesses in the Jonesboro community. Kevin lives in Jonesboro with his wife of nearly 30 years, Sandi, they have three children and two grandchildren, with another due in May.

Henry G. Torres is the Assistant Vice Chancellor, Chief Information Officer for Arkansas State University. He worked at the ASU College of Business from 2002 to 2007, then moved into faculty professional development in 2007. In 2013, he was promoted to CIO and has served in that capacity since that time. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Industrial Engineering from Texas Tech University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Henderson State University and completed Post Graduate Study at the University of Memphis. He is currently enrolled in the Ph.D. program at Kennesaw State University. Before moving to Jonesboro Torres was an information technology executive specializing in areas of distribution, logistics, store operations and e-commerce for companies such as Wal-Mart and Neiman-Marcus. He lives in Jonesboro, AR with his wife and their three daughters.

Willis Tyler is the Assistant Secretary – Treasurer and ESOP Co-Trustee for E.C. Barton & Company. He has been with E.C. Barton & Company for 18 years serving in a variety of finance and accounting roles first as an Internal Auditor, to Credit Manager, and Credit and Collections Director. He has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Finance from Arkansas State University. Tyler also serves as a Director on the Board of Directors for the Craighead County Solid Waste District & Authority. He lives in Jonesboro with his wife of 20 years Cristy and their son. Tyler and his family are members of Central Baptist Church and enjoy serving with friends in the Kids at the Cross ministry.

E.C. Barton & Company is a team of home improvement experts offering quality products and solutions at the Guaranteed Lowest Price to help customers achieve their dreams. Its employee Partners have a vested interest in providing customers with expert advice and top-quality service as they work to build, remodel or restore their kitchens, baths, flooring, doors and windows. Founded in 1885, the company is headquartered in Jonesboro, Arkansas and operates Barton’s, Grossman’s Bargain Outlet, Surplus Warehouse and E.C.B. Brokerage in 17 states from upstate New York to south Texas. E.C. Barton & Co. is 100% employee-owned with more than 700 Partners who operate more than 100 stores. To learn more, visit www.ecbarton.com.