MRO products distribution giant Grainger announced Dec. 15 that it has appointed Nancy Berardinelli-Krantz as the company’s new Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, effective Jan. 30. She will succeed John Howard, who will retire from Grainger in July 2023 after 23 years with the company.

“Nancy’s broad scope of legal knowledge, ethics and compliance experience and leadership in the Army makes her an excellent fit to lead our Legal function and strengthen our values across the organization, with our customers and in our communities,” said D.G. Macpherson, Chairman and CEO. “Her distinguished career in the legal, business and government environment coupled with her ability to lead with integrity matches Grainger’s purpose-driven culture. We look forward to welcoming her to the Grainger team.”

Lake Forest, Illinois-based Grainger ranked No. 1 on MDM’s 2022 Top Industrial Distributor list. Grainger was also the No. 1 MRO Industrial Distributor, No. 1 Fastener Distributor, No. 5 Fluid Power Distributor, No. 7 Power Transmission/Bearings Distributor and No. 15 Electrical, Data & Security Distributor.

Berardinelli-Krantz joins Grainger from Eaton Corporation, where she is Senior Vice President and Deputy Chief Legal Officer. Prior to Eaton, she served in senior leadership positions at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and worked for the international law firm of Jones Day. She is also a Veteran of the United States Army, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where she served as a trial attorney in Fort Hood, Texas, and for the Contract Appeals Division in Washington, D.C. She also served as a trial defense counsel in Baghdad, Iraq.

Berardinelli-Krantz earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from John Carroll University, and a juris doctorate, magna cum laude, from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She also serves on the board of trustees for the University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Foundation and is a board member for The Command Purpose Foundation.

Howard joined Grainger in 2000 as Senior Vice President and General Counsel and oversees the company’s legal and corporate environment, health and safety and corporate security teams.

“For more than 20 years, John Howard has showed unwavering dedication and service to Grainger and our customers,” Macpherson said. “John’s leadership on legal, business and people matters has guided Grainger, and he’s set a standard of placing truth and respect at the center of everything we do. On behalf of the entire Grainger team, we are grateful for the impact John has made on the company, our customers, and the industry.”