Charlie Anderson
As President and CEO of Anderson Companies, parent company of Anderson Merchandisers, Charlie Anderson serves as the third generation of leadership for a family-owned business that has pioneered the mailing and distribution of entertainment products. Under Charlie’s leadership, Anderson Companies has grown to become the country’s largest distributor of pre-recorded music, hardback books, games, and movies.
Charlie has served as President and CEO since 1990. Under his leadership, the company has created an environment that is totally customer-focused. His business philosophy is basic and straight forward; “Everyday we focus our efforts on building a relationship of trust with our customers and today’s consumers, by establishing strong lines of communication, and fostering a true spirit of leadership and teamwork for our company and our community.”
This optimistic philosophy has fueled rapid growth for the company. Its customer base includes more than 4,000 Walmart stores in the United States and Canada and more than 600 Sam’s Club locations. The company is also the worldwide distributor of video and music to the United States Army and Air Force, providing entertainment products to America’s Armed Forces.
Prior to joining the family business, Charlie enrolled as a marketing major at the University of Tennessee in 1972 on an athletic scholarship. He was a three-year letterman in football and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1976.
Charlie’s dedication to Anderson Companies is mirrored by his dedication to “giving back” to the community and the industries the company serves. His tireless efforts have raised millions of dollars for a wide variety of charities and includes past and present industry and personal affiliations:
- Lake Shore Park, Member of Board –1995-Present
- Chairman, Board of Directors, Country Music Association – 2004
- President, Board of Directors, Country Music Association – 2003
- Member, Board of Directors, Country Music Association – 1996-Present
- Member, Board of Directors, Knox Youth Sports, Inc. – 1994-2000
- Member, Board of Trustees, University of Tennessee – 2007-Present
- Member, Board of Directors, University of Tennessee Athletics – 2003-Present
- Recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award, University of Tennessee College of Business – 2005
- Inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, East Tennessee Chapter – 2006
A native of Florence, Ala., Charlie is married to Moll Anderson and they have four children: Chase, Michael, Hayley and Lauren.
Bill Lardie
Bill is the President of Anderson Merchandisers, Liquid Digital Media (Anderson’s California-based digital media company) and Anderson Merchandisers – Canada.
He began working with Anderson News Corporation in 1986, and was appointed to President of Anderson Merchandisers in 1994.
Prior to his tenure at Anderson Merchandisers, he served as Vice President of Operations for Stoll Companies. His professional history also includes Vice President of Book Operations for Suits News Company and a position with General Motors.
Bill holds a degree in communications from Michigan State University. He has served on both the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) and Academy of Country Music Association (ACM) Boards of Directors and is a graduate of Leadership Music.
Tony Girard
Tony is responsible for Anderson Merchandisers’ purchasing operations, product flow, in-store execution and appearance within the Walmart, Sam’s Club and Army & Air Force Exchange Service accounts. He also oversees the management of the company’s sales field operations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
Tony has worked with Anderson Merchandisers for 26 years. Since getting his start, he has held numerous positions with the company, including Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Vice President of Sales.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and banking from Buena Vista University.
Steve McClanahan
As Anderson Merchandisers’ Executive Vice President of Strategic Marketing, Steve’s responsibilities include managing strategic initiatives with customers and suppliers for all product lines, services and business units.
Steve has been with the company for more than 23 years. Prior to his current position, he served as the Senior Vice President of Purchasing and Marketing and prior to that, the Chief Financial Officer/Vice President.
He serves as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM). He is also a member of both the Academy of Country Music Association (ACM) and Country Music Association (CMA), and is a graduate of Leadership Music.
Steve is a Certified Public Accountant. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA and a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Finance from the University of North Alabama in Florence, AL.
Ken Shufeldt
Ken’s role as Senior Vice President of Information Systems at Anderson Merchandisers is to strategically direct the systems and services of the company. He is also responsible for handling the operations of Liquid Digital Media, Anderson’s California-based digital company.
Ken has been with Anderson Merchandisers for 31 years. He gained his initial knowledge of computers while serving in the military. Since that time, he has worked with computers and technology for more than 40 years as a System Analyst, Programmer and Manager.
He attended the University of Maryland and West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M University).
Chuck Taylor
Chuck’s main responsibilities include overseeing preparation of the company’s financial reports, managing relationships with vendors related to financial matters and maintaining financial reporting and banking relationships. He also works with the company’s President and other senior team members on strategic initiatives and financial forecasts and budgets and measures the financial results of actions taken.
Chuck has been with Anderson Merchandisers for more than 14 years. Prior to joining Anderson, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of an Amarillo, Texas-based wood products manufacturing company, where his accomplishments included obtaining additional financing/refinancing of two major restructurings of the company's move to asset-based financing and developed financing for new products imported from Chile.
Chuck is a Certified Public Accountant. He holds both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in business administration from West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M University).
Jay Coile
Jay is responsible for all distribution centers, including quality control, process management, analysis and improvement as those components impact overall cost and service. He serves to manage timely flow of product to the distribution centers and the customer to meet company objectives and to monitor performance in all locations as it impacts overall cost and service. His role also includes directing and overseeing the day-to-day functions of the Internet, returns center, freight, Sam’s Club and Walmart distribution centers.
Jay has been with Anderson Merchandisers for 18 years. Since his beginning, he has held a number of positions with the company, including Vice President of Distribution and Vice President of Sales, among other roles.
Prior to joining Anderson Merchandisers, Jay held many positions with American Honda Motor Company, including District Sales Manager and Parts Center General Manager. He has also worked for Crown Zellerbach and Dana Corporation. Additionally, Jay was a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service.
He is a graduate of the University of Georgia. He is also a graduate of the United States Secret Service’s Special Agent Training Course and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center’s Criminal Investigator Course.
Debbie Johnson
Debbie is responsible for Anderson Merchandisers’ corporate human resources, communications and corporate training divisions.
Since joining Anderson Merchandisers in 1984, Debbie has held numerous positions with the company, including Rack Services Administrator, Manager of Human Resources and Director of Human Resources before being promoted to her current position.
Debbie attended Odessa College with an emphasis in business. She achieved certification in Professional Human Resources Management in 2002 and continues with educational courses from the Society of Human Resources Management.
Kris Cartrite
Kris’s main responsibilities include all aspects of sales and demand, including forecasting supply chain needs to maintain inventory in retail stores and distribution centers to meet required customer and Anderson Merchandisers in-stock levels. He also coordinates workload planning with distribution centers to maximize product throughput and minimize freight and labor costs. Additionally, Kris reports monthly on Key Performance Indicators (KPI) by product line and thereafter coordinates improvement plans.
Since joining Anderson Merchandisers in 1993, Kris has held numerous positions with the company. Prior to his current position, he served as Vice President of Purchasing and prior to that, Vice President of Video Services and Category Advisor. He spent an earlier part of his professional life with Western Merchandisers, Southwest Feed Yards, LTD., and Ernst & Young.
Kris is a Certified Public Accountant. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M University).
