R. Michael Rouleau
From May 1992 until April 1996, Michael Rouleau served as Executive Vice President of Store Operations for Lowe's Companies, Inc. where he participated in the Company's transformation into a "big box" retailer. During his tenure, Lowe's revenues grew from an annual rate of $3.6 billion in fiscal year 1992 to over $7.1 billion in fiscal year 1995, and market capitalization increased by approximately $5 billion.
Michael Rouleau has been accused of being abrupt, dictatorial, egocentric, domineering, impatient, and capable of holding a grudge. He is also considered to be visionary, creative, focused and disciplined.
Rouleau most recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Michaels Stores, Inc. During his 10 years of leadership, Michaels Stores became the nation's leading arts and crafts retailer and one of the best-performing retailers in North America, growing its market capitalization from $310 million in 1996 to approximately $4.5 billion in 2006 before it was sold to affiliates of Bain Capital Partners LLC and The Blackstone Group for $6 billion.
He also spent over 20 years with Dayton Hudson Corporation, where he was one of the original 23 employees that participated in the start-up of its Target Stores Division and later became Executive Vice President of Merchandising and Logistics.
Rouleau's experience also includes co-founding Office Warehouse, where he served as president for several years; the company subsequently merged with OfficeMax.