Grainger (NYSE: GWW) announced it has named Dean Johnson as president of its Canadian business, Acklands-Grainger.  Johnson assumes this role from Eric Nowlin who elected to return to California with his family at the end of his expat assignment.

“We thank Eric for his leadership and years of service to Grainger, and we wish him well,” said Court Carruthers, senior vice president and group president, Americas.  “We are excited to welcome Dean to Grainger.  He is an exceptional leader with a proven track record of success. He has significant experience managing large organizations throughout Canada, and a strong focus on customer service and employee engagement.”

Johnson joins Acklands-Grainger from Sodexo Canada, where he served as president and CEO, responsible for strategy, performance and management.  Prior to that, he was senior vice president, Integrated Facilities Management with Sodexo Canada.  Before joining Sodexo, Johnson served as president of Crothall Services Group and president of Trammell Crow Company Canada.  He began his career with TransCanada Pipelines.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, as well as a Business Management Certificate, from the University of Calgary.

W.W. Grainger, Inc., with 2013 sales of $9.4 billion, has operations in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Founded in 1889, Acklands-Grainger is Canada’s largest distributor of industrial, safety, and fastener products, with more than 350,000 products available from 171 branches and six distribution centres coast to coast to coast.