PetSmart CEO Steps Down

PetSmart’s President and Chief Executive Officer J.K. Symancyk has stepped down effective immediately. Alan Schnaid, who has served as the company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer since 2017, will serve as interim president and CEO until a successor is in place. 

PetSmart’s board of directors has already initiated a CEO search in partnership with a leading executive search firm.

"On behalf of the Board and all of the pet-passionate associates at PetSmart, I want to thank J.K. for his meaningful contributions to the Company over the last six years," said Raymond Svider, chairman of the Board of Directors. "J.K. led the company through significant growth, including during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Prior to PetSmart, Schnaid served as chief financial officer of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. where he was responsible for the global finance, accounting, tax, treasury, planning, risk management and investor relations functions. He spent more than 22 years with Starwood in various finance roles.