Great Clips announces executive leadership transition
Steve Hockett, Rhoda Olsen, and Rob Goggins
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (January 19, 2017) — Great Clips, Inc. today announced an executive transition plan with current CEO Rhoda Olsen moving to the Great Clips Board of Directors effective Jan. 1, 2018.
Current President Steve Hockett will be promoted to CEO and COO Rob Goggins will be promoted to president.
“After decades of dedicated leadership to Great Clips and our great customers, it is time for me to pass on the privilege of leading this wonderful organization,” Olsen said. “I have been given the pleasure of working with the very best people and now is the time to let a few of those individuals take the lead.”
A seasoned business leader, Olsen began consulting with Great Clips, Inc. in 1984. She joined the corporate team as an executive and owner in 1987. Olsen was named president in 1998 and transitioned to CEO in 2011. As president and CEO, Olsen has grown Great Clips from 1,000 salons in 1998 to more than 4,000 salons across the United States and Canada in 2016.
“The key to continually moving an organization forward is great people who are empowered to be their best each and every day,” Olsen said. “Great Clips thrives because of the people who represent the brand and the culture we’ve built. Our success is only possible through millions of happy customers, more than one thousand exceptional franchisees and their engaged teams, a strong corporate staff and great vendors.”
Olsen used her business acumen and passion to set Great Clips on the road to success evidenced by more than 49 straight quarters of growth. She is known for her analytical skills and her keen sense of what people need to be successful.
Thanks to Olsen’s early vision of harnessing data to improve the customer experience, today Great Clips is a technology leader in the cosmetology space. Her leadership approach stressed innovation while staying laser focused on what customers expect from Great Clips and helping stylists do what they do best.
In 2011, Olsen collaborated with Innovative Computer Software (ICS) and the Great Clips leadership team to drive implementation of Great Clips’ industry-leading Online Check-In technology.
Olsen’s contributions weren’t just about data and technology. As a compassionate leader and cancer survivor, Olsen championed Clips of Kindness® as a systemwide service. Customers who need a clipper cut due to hair loss from cancer treatment can visit any Great Clips salon in the U.S. or Canada for this complimentary service.
Olsen’s contributions to the cosmetology industry, franchising and her mentorship to others, particularly women, are many. This leadership transition allows her to devote more time to volunteer and mentor activities, including her role as president of the International SalonSpa Business Network (ISBN) and her work with Phakamani Foundation.
A long-time member of the Twin Cities business community, Olsen intends to travel and spend more time with her family. She will continue to hold an ownership stake in Great Clips.
Olsen, known for her down-to-earth style, is often found serving beverages and snacks to staff and visitors alike, and is rarely seen without a bag of M&M’s® nearby. She is loved by many, including franchisees, their stylists, vendors and corporate employees—and makes a mean grilled cheese.
Incoming Great Clips CEO Steve Hockett
Replacing Olsen as CEO effective Jan. 1, 2018, is long-time Great Clips executive and current president, Steve Hockett who has been a key leader within Great Clips, Inc.
Hockett has first-hand knowledge of how important a strong brand is to building a successful franchise business. After a failed attempt as a Great Clips salon owner from 1988 to 1990, he joined Great Clips corporate team in 1992 as a marketing manager. Hockett held several positions over the years, including regional director and vice president of operations.
Hockett left the organization in 2002, expanding his leadership skills and gaining experience in other businesses including serving as president of FranChoice and president of Rapid Refill.
Since his return to Great Clips in 2008 as vice president of operations, Hockett was promoted to COO in 2011 and to president in 2014.
Hockett’s experience as a Great Clips franchisee and outside the organization are a great complement to his many years at corporate with Great Clips.
Great Clips CEO Rhoda Olsen agrees, “We are pleased to have such an exceptional leader ready to rise from the ranks to fill the CEO role. Steve knows Great Clips inside and out,” Olsen said. “And he brings a passion to continue our innovation and growth into the future. I am confident in Steve’s ability to build on the great things here at Great Clips.”
Incoming Great Clips President Rob Goggins
As Steve Hockett assumes the CEO role on Jan. 1, 2018, Chief Operations Officer Rob Goggins will assume the role of president. Goggins, a Great Clips executive since 2007, will bring his operational expertise and strong coaching skills into his new role.
Goggins joined Great Clips in 2007 as vice president of development. In 2011, he added real estate to his leadership responsibilities as senior vice president of real estate and development. Goggins was promoted to COO in 2014, leading additional areas including Facilities & Purchasing, Business Services/Operations.
“Over the past decade, Rob has demonstrated the ability to coach and motivate teams,” Olsen said. “He’s always willing to take on challenges and learn something new. His ability to listen and earn trust bring a thoughtful approach to any role.”
Goggins’ COO role will not be filled as he will continue to oversee Business Services/Operations, Real Estate, Development and, new to his area, Marketing and Communications.
Chairman of the Great Clips Board of Directors Ray Barton said: “Rhoda and I have worked together for more than 30 years. Not only is she an exceptional leader, but she is my sister. As many sisters are, Rhoda has been my support; she’s challenged me; and she’s stood by my side in good and bad times. We’ll continue to work together on the Great Clips Board of Directors to ensure Steve, Rob and the rest of the executive team carry on the values and culture that have made Great Clips the hair salon of choice for millions of customers each week.”
About Great Clips, Inc.
Great Clips, Inc. was established in 1982 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Today, there are over 4,400 independently owned Great Clips® salons throughout the United States and Canada, making it the world’s largest salon brand. Great Clips is 100 percent franchised, and salons are owned locally by more than 700 franchisees across the U.S. and Canada. Great Clips® franchisees employ more than 25,000 stylists. Great Clips® franchised salons provide value-priced, high-quality haircare for men, women and children. Getting a great haircut at a Great Clips® salon is more convenient than ever with Online Check-In, ReadyNext® text alerts and Clip Notes®. To check in online, visit GreatClips.com or download the free app. For more information about Great Clips, Inc. or to find a salon location near you, visit GreatClips.com.