Racine-based Merchants Moving & Storage, a professional household moving company, has announced that Jennifer Eastman will succeed her father, Jim Eastman, as president of the company.
The succession will take effect Dec. 31.
Jennifer currently serves as Merchants’ controller. Jim Eastman will become the chairman of Merchants Moving & Storage’s board of directors.
The company was founded as Merchants’ Delivery in 1922 by E.W. Eastman. Jennifer Eastman will be the fourth generation and first woman to lead Merchants.
“This is an exciting step for Merchants and our employees and a testimony to the strength of the company,” Jim Eastman said. “I am proud to have led Merchants through many significant milestones.”
Jim Eastman became president of Merchants in 1982 after his father, Art Eastman.
“Jennifer and I have worked closely together since she joined Merchants in 1996. As controller, she has led initiatives to update our technology, create synergies across our functions, improve customer service, champion employee health and safety and was part of the team that’s helped Merchants experience significant growth. Jennifer has proven she’s a skilled and thoughtful leader,” Jim Eastman said.
“It is an honor to follow in my father’s footsteps,” Jennifer Eastman said. “We have a lot to look forward to including innovation, and greater efficiencies across Merchants and growing our brand as a top professional moving company in key market segments. Merchants’ has an amazing and dedicated workforce. We’ll continue building our culture around that professionalism.”
Before joining Merchants, Jennifer Eastman worked in corporate development and privatization for CNH Corporation and in national product merchandising for Levi Strauss.
