Greg Pannell Resigns From McCoy’s Building Supply After 39 Years

Greg Pannell, Vice President of Merchandising and Vendor Relations at McCoy’s Building Supply resigned from his post at the company’s headquarters in San Marcos, Texas after 39 years of service.

Pannell has been aggressively battling melanoma since 2011. He continues to receive excellent care at MD Anderson hospital in Houston, yet frequent trips to MDA for treatments and surgeries (and their aftermath) have taken a toll. Upon the advice of his doctors, Greg made the decision to leave the company effective the week of August 26, 2013.

Holder of the 6th longest tenure at McCoy’s, Pannell began his career in Lubbock, Texas where he labored alongside future President and CEO Brian McCoy. “Greg and I first met in our then-Lubbock yard in 1974. He was all of 20 years old, and I was only 18,” shared McCoy. “Our friendship grew from that day on, and our working relationship has been a very special one.”

Greg Pannell’s colorful work history at McCoy’s tells the story of a man of many talents. After hiring on as a salesperson in Lubbock, Greg rose in the ranks to serve as an Assistant Manager at McCoy’s locations in Sherman, Lubbock and Brownwood. He was chosen by Emmett McCoy to manage the Sherman store, and afterwards accepted “upward” Store Management positions in Harlingen and the prosperous and fast-paced Odessa location (in the midst of the oil boom in the late 1970’s).

He made the ambitious decision to move to McCoy Headquarters in late 1981, with his Odessa store ranked #1 in the company. Switching gears to assume the role of an Inventory Control Manager at HQ, Pannell purchased paint products, then plumbing fixtures, gypsum, paint sundries, lumber and more. His outstanding performance earned him the title of General Manager of Merchandising, and when the executive team was formed in 1998 he was appointed Vice President of Merchandising and Vendor Relations.

Pannell served as a board member of the Lumbermen’s Association of Texas for many years, and on the Customer Advisory Councils for Louisiana-Pacific, Potlatch, John Mansville, True Value and TXI. He also served on the board of the Hays Caldwell Womens Center in his adopted hometown of San Marcos, where he lives with Nelda, his wife of 35 years.

As a family-owned business now in its fourth generation, McCoy’s is known for its ‘Business As Unusual’ philosophy and the relationships its employees form are meaningful ones. Meagan McCoy Jones, now serving as Vice President of Field Support thinks of Pannell not only as a mentor but as a family friend. “The Pannell and McCoy families have been close my whole life,” said Jones. “My brother and I grew up with his kids, and my first real office at Headquarters shared a (very thin) wall with Greg. He has been one of many important mentors to me, and I’ll continue to learn from him in his new role.”

John Meeks, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development has worked with, and learned from, Pannell for over 13 years. “Greg has taught many of us so much about the nuances of our industry through his broad reach and long history,” explained Meeks. “He’s provided incredible value to me as a friend and mentor.”

Throughout his career, Pannell earned the reputation of being a tough but fair negotiator in his role within the Vendor Community. “I’ve always admired Greg’s ability to remain calm in the most tense of situations”, marveled Dennis Strong, Senior Vice President and CIO, “and to wait to hear the other side of the story before taking action.”

While managing his health is a priority, Pannell will continue to be involved with McCoy’s Building Supply as a consultant to the Executive Team, where his contributions will involve ongoing corporate strategy, as well as key account business development. “Greg will attend E Team meetings when he is able, and he will continue to office at our Corporate Headquarters as his health allows,” said Brian McCoy. “Even though Greg will no longer be officially employed by our company, he will no doubt continue to be part of McCoy’s for the rest of his life.

While Pannell leaves his post to pour more of his trademarked energy into a strenuous treatment program, his heart remains with his supportive “family” at McCoy’s, and it’s one full of appreciation. “I was lucky enough to hold a significant position within this exceptional organization, and above all I appreciate the opportunity to ‘contribute’ for 39 years,” said Pannell. “I’m very grateful for the support I’ve received these past two years, and the transition to a consulting role means the world to me. I’m blessed in so many ways.”