Blogs & Articles: Our New COO is a Heavy(weight) Hitter 🔗 7 years ago

I never imagined that solving a problem as big as we were tackling would be so challenging and at the same time so rewarding. Every time we faced a wall, we broke it down. Every time we failed, we were inspired to learn why and to do better. From the day we founded the company, we were on a mission to create the world’s simplest and most trusted solution for home improvement. We wanted it to be as easy to order flooring and patio furniture online as it is to listen to music or order books. There have many highs and lows along the journey. For quite some time, we had a company that was doubling in revenue every year. Then three years ago we blew it up … on purpose. To build something greater. Something that would provide unbiased and actionable information to both Buyers and Sellers so that both could get what they want without us being in the way, and something that be capable of reinventing an entire industry.

We launched the BuildDirect Marketplace in February 2016 dedicated to directly connecting Homeowners and Pro Buyers with Sellers from all over the world. Then, earlier this year, we opened up our logistics network, The Gateway Supply Chain, so that Buyers could get their heavyweight home improvement products delivered to their doorstep. And lastly, we developed a proprietary AI-engine to power the entire platform. We are gearing up for a big year which is why I’m thrilled to announce that Amazon veteran, Dan Park, has joined BuildDirect as Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help accelerate and scale the platform.

From Books to Bricks

Dan brings nearly three decades of experience working in top-tier multi-billion dollar retail and technology companies, of which the most recent was leading Amazon Business.

In 2011, Dan joined Amazon and over his tenure, he held positions as Head of Amazon Business in Product Management and Strategy as well as General Manager/Category Leader of Consumer Electronics. Most recently he was General Manager and Commercial Vertical Leader of Amazon Business, a channel that he built from scratch to one of their fastest growing and most successful businesses. He has also held previous management positions at McKinsey and Company, Target, and Payless Shoesource.

Dan grew up in Northern Virginia, trained as a Mechanical Engineer at West Point United States Military Academy and later earned an MBA from the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration.

We’re privileged to gain a leader with Dan’s experience, talent, and vision. Please join us in welcoming Dan on our journey to complete our transition to an AI-driven platform and build the future of BuildDirect.

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