J.K. Symancyk

J.K. Symancyk joined PetSmart as President and Chief Executive Officer in June 2018. Prior to PetSmart, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Academy Sports + Outdoors, where he positioned the company for an eventual IPO. Previously, he held many leadership roles at Meijer – a supercenter chain throughout the Midwest, including Group Vice President, EVP Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Operating officer and President.

At PetSmart, J.K. continues to be a transformational leader, overseeing North America’s leading pet retailer resulting in increased market share, significant growth in revenue and improved associate engagement. He currently serves as Chairman of PetSmart Charities, which is the leading funder of animal welfare in communities across North America and is a member of the Retail Industry Leaders Board of Directors and the Bath & Body Works Board of Directors.

J.K. graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he serves on the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board for the Sam M. Walton College of Business. He and his wife have two children and are pet parents to two dogs: Stella, a Havanese, and Harper, a Great Pyrenees mix.