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Home Depot chairman to receive NRF Gold Medal Award

Additionally, France's Galeries Lafayette will be named International Retailer of the Year with Executive Chairman Philippe Houzé accepting the award on behalf of the company.

December 22, 2014

Frank Blake, former CEO and current chairman of The Home Depot, will receive the National Retail Federation’s prestigious Gold Medal Award at Retail’s BIG Show in New York City next month, NRF has announced. Additionally, France’s Galeries Lafayette will be named International Retailer of the Year with Executive Chairman Philippe Houzé accepting the award on behalf of the company.

NRF will also recognize eyewear company Warby Parker as Retail Innovator of the Year with co-founders and co-CEOs David Gilboa and Neil Blumenthal accepting the award. Miki Beradelli, president of digital, chief marketing officer and executive vice president at Chico’s FAS Inc. will receive the Silver Plaque award.

"As evidenced by The Home Depot’s loyal customer base and storied success, Frank Blake is an excellent choice for the Gold Medal Award," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. "His focus on customer service and employee culture will help solidify his place in history as a great retail leader."

The award recipients are selected each year by the NRF Board of Directors’ Awards Committee. The awards will be presented during a keynote session at Retail’s BIG Show — NRF’s 104th Annual Convention and Expo — on January 12. The convention will be held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center January 11-14.

Blake became chairman and CEO of The Home Depot in January 2007. He stepped down as CEO in October but continues to serve as chairman. He was vice chairman from October 2006 to January 2007, and executive vice president for business development and corporate operations from 2002 until January 2007. In the latter position, Blake was responsible for the company’s real estate, store construction, credit services, strategic business development, growth initiatives, and international and Home Services businesses. He previously served in a variety of executive positions at General Electric, including senior vice president for corporate business development in charge of worldwide mergers, acquisitions, along with dispositions and identification of strategic growth opportunities.