Retailer with more than 550 stores names new CEO

BRADENTON — Retailer Beall’s Inc. named Robert "Matt" Matthews Beall III CEO.

Beall assumes the CEO role from Steve Knopik, who was the first non-family member to lead the Bradenton-based company, according to a press release. Knopik was promoted to CEO in 2006 when Bob Beall stepped down from the role. Bealls posted $1.39 billion in revenue in 2018. 

Matt Beall is the fourth in a succession of leaders from the Beall family to have guided the  company for more than 100 years. He is the great-grandson of Robert Matthews Beall Sr., who founded the company in 1915. Egbert “ER” Beall, Matt Beall's grandfather, joined the business in 1940. Matt Beall’s father, Robert "Bob" M. Beall II, led the company as president and CEO from 1980 through 2006 and remained on as chairman of the board until his retirement in 2017.

Matt Beall began his retail career in college. He worked in the west Bradenton Beall’s store as a sales associate and then at the Beall’s Outlet distribution center processing merchandise, the release states. 

After graduating from college, he worked for Ross Stores as an assistant buyer. He joined the family business in 2004 as a buyer for Beall’s Outlet. He spent the past 15 years working his way up in Beall’s and Beall’s Outlet, the statement says. His experience includes serving as a store manager and working in nearly every corporate function, including buying, planning, marketing, exclusive brands, finance, logistics and store operations. Most recently, Matt Beall served as president of Beall’s Stores.

Knopik, the release states, will continue to serve the company as its executive chairman.

“Matt Beall is a brilliant and decisive executive who cares deeply about our company, our associates and our guests," Knopik says in a statement. "The board, the senior leadership team and I have great confidence that he will guide us to even greater heights in the future.”

Beall’s Inc. is a family-owned corporation that operates more than 550 stores in 17 states under the names of Bealls, Bealls Outlet, Burkes Outlet, Home Centric and Bunulu.