Japinga steps up at Guitar Center

Guitar Center has appointed Ron Japinga to the position of president.

Before joining Guitar Center as Executive Vice President of Inventory Management and Supply Chain, Japinga had an eight-year career at West Marine where he was the Executive Vice President of Merchandising, Planning and Logistics. Prior to that, he was a VP-level executive with Kohl’s Department Stores.

Japinga will oversee and manage all aspects of Guitar Center’s business and work closely with its executive team to “ensure Guitar Center’s long-term growth”.

“Ron has done an exceptional job since joining our company in July of 2014 as Executive Vice President for Supply Chain and Private Brands,” said CEO, Darrell Webb. “With 32 years of successful retail management and leadership experience at a variety of companies, Ron has accumulated a vast knowledge of retailing. He has proactively shared this expertise throughout our company, well beyond his official areas of responsibility, to positively influence Guitar Center’s performance. He is a man of tremendous integrity and work ethic, with strong values and a deep commitment to Guitar Center. We all look forward to working with Ron in this new position.”