Marvin Ellison: Chairman, President, and CEO of Lowe's

Marvin Ellison built a long career in American retail before being appointed CEO of Lowe's Companies. With over 30 years of industry experience, he has held senior roles in operations, logistics, and executive leadership at Target, Home Depot, and JCPenney. Today, he serves as Chairman, President, and CEO of Lowe's, overseeing one of the largest home improvement retailers in the United States. This is his story.

• Instilled values: Marvin Ellison was raised in a hard-working household that emphasized the importance of education.

• Retailer career: Ellison began his retail journey at Target during college and has since built a decades-long career across multiple companies and roles.

• Lowe’s Companies: In 2018, he was appointed CEO and President of Lowe's, and in 2021, he was named its Chairman of the Board.

Marvin Ellison was born in 1966 and raised in Brownsville, Tennessee. He grew up in a family where his parents emphasized the importance of hard work and discipline to him and his six siblings. Through their dedication and perseverance – often working multiple jobs – they instilled in their children a belief in the power of education and the drive to build a better future. That foundation became a key source of inspiration for Ellison as he set out to create his own path.

After finishing high school, he enrolled at the University of Memphis, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Coming from a modest background, it took him nearly six years to complete his studies, as he had to work to support himself while at university. During this time, he held a variety of jobs, including janitor, truck driver, and convenience store clerk.

One of the jobs Ellison took on to support himself through college turned out to be more than just a means to an end. While working at a convenience store run by Target, he found his entry point into the world of retail – a path he would stay on for decades to come. After completing his degree in 1988, he continued at Target and built a 15-year career with the company, rising through the ranks from store associate to Director of Asset Protection.

In 2002, Ellison joined The Home Depot, the largest home improvement retailer in the world. Over the years at the company, he came to hold several key leadership roles, including Vice President of Loss Prevention and Senior Vice President of Global Logistics. Early in his tenure, he also returned to his studies, earning an executive MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

His performance and leadership earned him continued recognition within the company, and in 2006, he was promoted to President of the company's Northern Division. 2008 followed with another step up when he became Executive Vice President of U.S. Stores, overseeing operations nationwide.

His retail leadership journey continued in 2014 when he was appointed CEO and Chairman of JCPenney. At the time, he took charge of a company with over 1,100 stores and more than 100,000 employees. Though his tenure was relatively brief, he initiated a turnaround strategy focused on stabilizing the struggling business, which included a significant restructuring of the leadership team.

In 2018, Marvin Ellison joined Lowe's Companies – the second-largest home improvement retailer in the U.S. He stepped into leadership at a company with a century-long legacy, initially taking on the roles of CEO and President. In 2021, he was also named Chairman of the Board.

Early in his tenure, Ellison made swift and decisive changes to refocus the organization. He led a major restructuring of the executive team, replacing several key leaders in an effort to sharpen the company's strategic direction. At the same time, he introduced a three-year transformation plan aimed at strengthening Lowe's retail fundamentals. This included improvements in supply chain management, merchandising, operational efficiency, and customer engagement.

The turnaround proved well-timed. As the pandemic reshaped consumer behavior, Lowe's was well-positioned to meet surging demand.

As of 2025, Ellison now leads a company with over 1,700 stores across the United States and a workforce exceeding 300,000 associates.

From a modest upbringing without the advantages of an Ivy League education or early career opportunities, Marvin Ellison carved out a path defined by resilience and determination. What sets him apart is the values instilled by his life experience: a relentless work ethic and belief in himself. His rise from janitor to CEO is a unique story, taking him through leadership roles at some of the largest American retailers.