CBE Special Centennial Seminar: Hal Lawton (Tractor Supply)

Servant Leadership

Biography

Hal Lawton has served as President and CEO of Tractor Supply Company since January 2020 and is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. Tractor Supply is the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., with more than 2,200 stores and ranking 293 on the Fortune 500. Hal has led the Company through a period of unprecedented growth, including the 2022 acquisition of Orscheln Farm & Home, while introducing the Company’s Life Out Here strategy to drive sustainable growth.     

Previously, Hal served as President of Macy’s from September 2017 to December 2019. As President, he had responsibility for all aspects of the Macy’s brand, including merchandising, marketing, store operations, technology and consumer insights and analytics. Prior to that, Hal was Senior Vice President, eBay North America from August 2015 to September 2017. In that role, he oversaw all aspects of eBay’s Americas business unit, as well as global responsibility for shipping, payments, risk and trust. Before joining eBay, Hal spent 10 years in various leadership roles at Home Depot, where he most recently was Senior Vice President for merchandising. Hal was responsible for elevating Home Depot’s Internet business. Prior to that, Hal was an associate principal at McKinsey & Co. 

He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Chemical Engineering and Pulp and Paper Science Technology from North Carolina State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia. Hal has served on the board of Sealed Air (NYSE: SEE) since 2019. He also serves as a board member for the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Business Roundtable.