Inside the career of Home Depot CEO Craig Menear, who has worked at the home-improvement retailer for over 20 years

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Menear was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, where his father worked at General Motors.

Menear was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, where his father worked at General Motors.

Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle

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Menear told the Atlanta Business Chronicle that he still considers Michigan home. Michigan is where Menear met his wife, Dawn.

Menear told the Atlanta Business Chronicle that he still considers Michigan home. Michigan is where Menear met his wife, Dawn.

Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle

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"We went to school together in grade school," he said. "She lived five houses down the street from me when we were 10 years old. We started going out in junior high."

"We went to school together in grade school," he said. "She lived five houses down the street from me when we were 10 years old. We started going out in junior high."

Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle

Menear said that Dawn has been a major source of support throughout his life: "I couldn't do this without her."

Menear said that Dawn has been a major source of support throughout his life: "I couldn't do this without her."

Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle

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The Menears would go on to have two daughters together, and they later moved to Atlanta to be close to Home Depot's headquarters.

The Menears would go on to have two daughters together, and they later moved to Atlanta to be close to Home Depot's headquarters.

Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle

He revealed to the Atlanta Business Chronicle that he's been interested in home improvement since childhood.

He revealed to the Atlanta Business Chronicle that he's been interested in home improvement since childhood.

Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle

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He said that he and his dad "often worked together on home improvement projects."

He said that he and his dad "often worked together on home improvement projects."

Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle

Menear also demonstrated an entrepreneurial edge from an early age.

Menear also demonstrated an entrepreneurial edge from an early age.

Source: Michigan State University

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He told his alma mater Michigan State University that he bought his first car with profits from his childhood lawn care business.

He told his alma mater Michigan State University that he bought his first car with profits from his childhood lawn care business.

Source: Michigan State University

Menear went on to attend Michigan State University. He graduated from the university's business school in 1979.

Menear went on to attend Michigan State University. He graduated from the university's business school in 1979.

Source: Michigan State University

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After college, Menear landed his first post-grad role at Montgomery Ward, a department-store chain that went under in 2001.

After college, Menear landed his first post-grad role at Montgomery Ward, a department-store chain that went under in 2001.

Source: Michigan State University

Menear also went to work for Ikea and Builders Emporium. He finally moved on to Home Depot in 1997 and began rising through the ranks of the company.

Menear also went to work for Ikea and Builders Emporium. He finally moved on to Home Depot in 1997 and began rising through the ranks of the company.

Source: San Diego Tribune, USA Today, Forbes

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In 2007, Menear was promoted to executive VP of merchandising. But the executive's ascent in the company didn't stop there.

In 2007, Menear was promoted to executive VP of merchandising. But the executive's ascent in the company didn't stop there.

Source: Michigan Live

In November 2014, Menear was named CEO. He was selected over fellow frontrunners Marvin Ellison — who is now CEO of Lowe's — and current Home Depot CFO Carol Tomé.

In November 2014, Menear was named CEO. He was selected over fellow frontrunners Marvin Ellison — who is now CEO of Lowe's — and current Home Depot CFO Carol Tomé.

Source: Home Depot, Fortune, Home Depot

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The newly appointed CEO then became chairman in February 2015.

The newly appointed CEO then became chairman in February 2015.

Source: Home Depot

Menear has donated to the Home Depot Political Action Committee over the years. In 2018, the committee donated $1,320,320 to Republican federal candidates and $742,680 to Democratic candidates, according to the Center for Open Politics.

Menear has donated to the Home Depot Political Action Committee over the years. In 2018, the committee donated $1,320,320 to Republican federal candidates and $742,680 to Democratic candidates, according to the Center for Open Politics.

Source: Federal Election Committee, CNBC, The Center for Responsive Politics

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Menear also supported Republican Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Karen Handel, as well as Democrats Sen. Martin Heinrich and Rep. John Lewis.

Menear also supported Republican Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Karen Handel, as well as Democrats Sen. Martin Heinrich and Rep. John Lewis.

Source: Federal Election Committee, CNBC, The Center for Responsive Politics

Today, when he's not running Home Depot, Menear keeps busy with causes like the Atlanta Committee for Progress ...

Today, when he's not running Home Depot, Menear keeps busy with causes like the Atlanta Committee for Progress ...

Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle

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... and the Salvation Army, which Menear and his wife both support.

... and the Salvation Army, which Menear and his wife both support.

In 2015, Menear attributed his success in business to various mentors he's had over the years, telling MSU: "And I was incredibly fortunate to be able to work for some great people during my career who helped me progress."

In 2015, Menear attributed his success in business to various mentors he's had over the years, telling MSU: "And I was incredibly fortunate to be able to work for some great people during my career who helped me progress."

Source: Michigan State University

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