Industrial and MRO supplies distributor Global Industrial has tapped Anesa Chaibi as its next CEO.

Effective Feb. 17, Chaibi will take over the post from Richard Leeds, who stepped into the role on an interim basis in August 2024 when Barry Litwin left the company to pursue another opportunity after a seven-year run as the company’s top executive.

Chaibi comes to Global Industrial with more than 30 years of operating and executive leadership experience in the industrial B2B space. In her career, she has led several distributors, including as President and CEO of the MRO business at The Home Depot; President and CEO of the Facilities Maintenance business at HD Supply; and CEO of Optimas Solutions (industrial fasteners).

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“Anesa is a proven senior executive with extensive experience in B2B and industrial distribution businesses,” said Richard Leeds. “With strong business acumen and deep industry knowledge, Anesa has the ideal background to lead the Company and drive our future success. In addition, her management style and leadership approach make her a great fit with Global Industrial’s entrepreneurial culture.”

Most recently, Chaibi served as Operating Partner and Chief Transformation Officer at Coalesce Capital Management, a private equity firm focused on investments in the services sector. Prior to that, she was CEO and Board Member of refrigeration, HVAC and sustainable energy solutions provider CoolSys, and Industry Advisor to the Industrial and Business Services Group of Warburg Pincus. She started her career at General Electric, where she held several managerial positions.

Port Washington, NY-based Global Industrial ranked No. 26 on MDM’s 2024 Top Industrial Supplies Distributors List with a 2023 revenue of $1.3 billion.

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“Global Industrial has a unique go-to-market platform, strong customer relationships and an exceptional team,” Chaibi said in a Feb. 10 news release. “The company’s industrial-strength solutions, superior quality, proprietary brand value, and end-to-end customer-centric approach are clear differentiators in the market. I am excited to guide Global Industrial in its next chapter and as it continues to capitalize on its growth opportunities.”

Chaibi also joins the company’s Board of Directors, where Leeds will remain Executive Chairman.