Herbert Mines Recruits Chief Merchandising Officer for Guitar Center
March 24, 2025 – Chief merchandising officers oversee their company’s buying activities and develop strategies to make the most informed purchasing plans. These C-suite executives make purchasing decisions for a company, including determining product availability, demand, market trends and pricing. They typically manage a team of purchasing or merchandising staff. Chief merchandising officers also implement merchandising plans. New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates recently helped to recruit Jerry Brandehoff as chief merchandising officer of Guitar Center, the world’s largest retailer of musical instruments. He will be based out of Guitar Center’s Support Center in Westlake Village, CA.
“Jerry is a dynamic and inspirational retail executive with over 30 years of experience leading merchandising and product teams for world-class global brands,” said Gabe Dalporto, CEO of Guitar Center. “Through his leadership style, he is dedicated to empowering teams, driving performance, and fostering collaboration. He was selected after an extensive search, and he stood out as the clear leader to help deliver our critical strategic priorities this year.”
“This is a critically important role as we transform our assortment to serve the serious musician, with the outcome of accelerated revenue growth, margin expansion, improved customer satisfaction, tight inventory management, and ultimately, market share gains,” Mr. Dalporto said.
Mr. Brandehoff joins Guitar Center from Wayfair, where he most recently held the position of chief merchant, as well as additional leadership roles during his tenure. Previously he held leadership positions with Gap Inc, PVH, and Williams Sonoma Inc.
In his new position, Mr. Brandehoff will lead Guitar Center’s merchandising organization, which encompasses buying and planning of general merchandise and private label brands for Guitar Center across all channels.
“I am both thrilled and honored to be joining the leadership team at Guitar Center,” said Mr. Brandehoff. “Music and musical instruments play such an important role in the lives of musicians and fans alike, and Guitar Center has been at the heart of this for generations. I started playing the saxophone in elementary school, and fully appreciate the power that music and instruments can unleash on an individual. I look forward to taking guitar and keyboard lessons through the Guitar Center Lessons program.”
Guitar Center is the leading retailer of musical instruments, lessons, repairs, and rentals in the U.S. With more than 300 stores across the U.S. and one of the top direct sales websites in the industry, Guitar Center has helped people make music for more than 50 years. Guitar Center also provides customers with various musician-based services, including Guitar Center Lessons, where musicians of all ages and skill levels can learn to play a variety of instruments in many music genres, GC Repairs, an on-site maintenance and repairs service, and GC Rentals, a program offering easy rentals of instruments and other sound reinforcement gear.
Proven Specialists
Established in 1978, Herbert Mines is a specialist search firm focusing on the retail, fashion and apparel, beauty, consumer products and services, hospitality, leisure, restaurant, and digital/technology industries. The firm is noted for its C-suite recruiting work. Herbert Mines has conducted upwards of 3,600 searches during the tenure of Hal Reiter, who joined the firm in 1993 as president, and was appointed chairman and chief executive officer in 1998.
Related: Herbert Mines Associates Recruits Chief Merchandising Officer for Claire’s Holdings
Brenda Malloy is the firm’s CEO. She brings over 40 years of experience to Herbert Mines Associates. During her career, she has authored numerous articles on retail CEO succession, omnichannel leadership, in addition to being a featured speaker at the National Retail Federation’s annual convention in New York City. Working with leading retailers at the senior most–levels to assemble winning leadership teams, Ms. Malloy primarily recruits board directors, CEOs, and their direct reports for publicly traded, privately held and private equity backed companies spanning vertical specialty, lifestyle and branded retail, off-price/value, grocery, hardlines, mass, and the specialty department store sectors.
Herbert Mines recently assisted in the recruitment of Jason Potter as the new CEO of Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. in Emeryville, CA. He succeeds Eric J. Lindberg, who has served as interim president and CEO since October 2024. Mr. Lindberg will work closely with Mr. Potter over a transition period, including meeting independent operators and key suppliers and integrating him into the unique culture of the business.
“On behalf of the board, we are thrilled to have Jason lead Grocery Outlet’s next chapter of continued growth and success,” said Mr. Lindberg. “In addition to his deep experience in growing and scaling successful grocery models, Jason’s vision, values and hands-on leadership style align well with our goals and culture. His passion and drive will prove to be an excellent fit here at Grocery Outlet. I am confident Jason is going to be a fantastic leader with our team and independent operators, and I welcome him warmly to the Grocery Outlet family.”
Related: Herbert Mines Associates Assists PacSun with CFO Search
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
