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ABC Supply announced that CIO Tony Vaden will retire effective Jan. 1, 2027, after 13 years with the company. Larry Sullivan, currently vice president of software, data and digital transformation, will take over, with both executives working together through the end of 2026 to support the handoff.
ABC Supply said CIO Tony Vaden will retire effective Jan. 1, 2027, and Larry Sullivan will succeed him as the company’s chief information officer. Sullivan currently serves as vice president of software, data and digital transformation. The company said the two executives will work together through the remainder of 2026 to support the leadership change.
Vaden joined ABC Supply in 2013 and has led its information technology organization for 13 years, according to the announcement reported by Hardware Retailing on Oct. 7. The company credited him with modernizing its technology infrastructure, expanding data and analytics capabilities, and developing IT into a strategic partner across the business. ABC Supply also said his work helped advance its digital capabilities and build a team focused on supporting associates, customers and long-term growth.
Sullivan joined the company in 2017. In his current vice president role, he has led work involving artificial intelligence, data and analytics, digital transformation, and technology strategy, the report said. ABC Supply described those initiatives as helping strengthen the company’s ability to support its associates and customers as business conditions change. The announcement did not provide further detail on specific projects or technology systems he has overseen.
President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Jost praised Vaden’s contributions, including the capabilities and workplace relationships he helped build. Sullivan said he was honored to take on the CIO role and credited Vaden and the IT team with establishing a strong foundation. The company framed the succession as an internal promotion intended to maintain continuity, rather than announcing a change in its technology strategy.
Continuity in ABC Supply’s IT Leadership
The appointment keeps the CIO role within ABC Supply’s existing leadership ranks while transferring responsibility to an executive already overseeing major technology functions. Sullivan’s current portfolio spans software, data and digital transformation, areas the company has identified as part of its support for employees and customers. His promotion places those responsibilities under a single executive role as Vaden prepares to leave.
For associates, customers and suppliers, the announcement signals a planned handoff rather than an immediate leadership departure: Vaden remains in the role until Jan. 1, 2027, and the company says he and Sullivan will work together before then. The company has not announced operational changes arising from the appointment, so the practical effects on products, services or customer-facing technology are not yet specified.
The change also matters because ABC Supply linked its technology work to business-wide support and long-term growth. Sullivan’s record, as described by the company, includes initiatives in AI and analytics as well as broader technology strategy. That experience may inform his priorities as CIO, but the announcement does not outline his plans, targets or investment decisions.
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A Succession From Within the IT Team
ABC Supply is a wholesale distributor of roofing materials and other exterior building products. Its announcement focuses on leadership of the company’s IT organization, describing technology as a means of supporting associates, customers and suppliers. The report does not provide financial or operating data tied to the technology program, and no such measures are necessary to establish the leadership change.
Vaden’s tenure began in 2013, while Sullivan joined four years later, in 2017. Before the announced succession, Sullivan held the vice president position covering software, data and digital transformation. The company’s description presents his appointment as a continuation of work already underway and as an example of developing leaders internally.
The transition is scheduled to span the rest of 2026. Vaden’s retirement takes effect at the start of 2027, giving the company a defined date for the change in executive responsibility. The source report does not say whether Vaden will have an advisory role after retirement or whether Sullivan’s current vice president responsibilities will be reassigned before or after he becomes CIO.
““Tony has made a tremendous impact on ABC Supply, not only through the expanded capabilities he helped build but also through the relationships and culture he fostered within our organization.””
— Mike Jost, ABC Supply president and chief operating officer
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Plans Beyond the Leadership Handoff
ABC Supply has not detailed Sullivan’s priorities as CIO, any changes to technology spending, or new initiatives he may pursue after taking the role. The announcement also gives no timetable for decisions about his current vice president responsibilities, staffing changes within IT, or Vaden’s involvement after retirement. Those matters should not be treated as settled based on the succession announcement alone.
The source report does not quantify the results of the infrastructure, analytics or digital work attributed to Vaden and Sullivan. It provides the company’s descriptions of their contributions, but no performance measures, project timelines or independent evaluation. Further information would be needed to assess the business impact of those efforts.
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Handoff Runs Through December 2026
Vaden and Sullivan are expected to work together through the remainder of 2026, according to ABC Supply, with Sullivan becoming CIO on Jan. 1, 2027. The company has not announced additional milestones or a date for a separate transition update.
Readers can expect the next confirmed step to be Sullivan’s assumption of the role on the stated effective date. Any later details about technology priorities, organizational changes or the disposition of Sullivan’s current duties would need to come from a further company announcement.
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Key Questions
Who will become ABC Supply’s next CIO?
Larry Sullivan, currently the company’s vice president of software, data and digital transformation, will succeed Tony Vaden as chief information officer.
When will the CIO change take effect?
The appointment is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. Vaden will remain in the role until his retirement takes effect on that date.
How long has Tony Vaden worked at ABC Supply?
Vaden joined ABC Supply in 2013 and will have led its technology organization for 13 years when he retires, according to the announcement.
What technology areas has Sullivan led?
ABC Supply said Sullivan has led initiatives involving artificial intelligence, data and analytics, digital transformation, and technology strategy. The announcement did not identify particular projects or results.
Has ABC Supply announced changes to its technology plans?
No specific changes, new investments or CIO priorities were announced. The company described the appointment as an internal succession and said Vaden and Sullivan will work together through the end of 2026.
Source: rss
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