Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

MISSOULA- A long time Missoula business has a new CEO with Gerald McConnell taking over at Vann's for George Manlove who decided to step down, but who remains on the company's board of directors.

Vann's is one of Missoula's oldest businesses and even though it faces tough competition from the economy and big box stores, it's optimistic its 'staying power' will last.

"[Business] isn't booming like it was five years ago certainly, with the housing market and everything...but...we're still financially sound and we're in good credit with our loan partners. We'd sure like to be doing a lot more, but we're holding our own. We out-performed the industry last year," McConnell explained.

Vann's has been in Missoula since the 1960's selling electronics and major appliances and while it closed it's Helena store earlier this year, there are no plans to close any others.

McConnell also has served as CEO of the Jore Corporation of Ronan. Vann's has stores in Billings, Bozeman, the Flathead Valley, Hamilton and Missoula and is fully owned by its employees.