VP Retires After 39-Year Career

Tom Holmes, Purchasing & Materials vice president, has retired following a 39-year career in the industry. Holmes joined Watco in April 2019 and made significant improvements to purchasing practices, setting the stage for future growth.

Laura McNichol, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, reflected on working with Holmes and said, “I’ve worked with Tom for a long time. As good as he was in the business, he is an even better person.”

Holmes spearheaded the development of Coupa, Watco’s purchasing program. The online platform enables team members to efficiently locate and purchase parts and materials from a single site rather than using a company credit card. Today, purchases remain locally sourced from trusted vendors through Coupa.

Rick Baden, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, praised Holmes’ strategic vision, noting, “Tom brought a fresh approach that propelled us into a new era of procurement. He helped position Watco for sustained growth while maintaining strong, collaborative relationships.”

In retirement, Holmes plans to travel with his wife, with trips to New York City and Portugal already on the horizon. Additionally, he looks forward to pursuing golf while also consulting in his spare time.

Reflecting on his time at Watco, Holmes shared, “I have truly enjoyed the culture here, especially the emphasis on valuing our team members. It has been an incredible experience.”