Phil Francis was President and CEO of PetSmart Inc. from 1998 to 2009, then was appointed executive chairman in June 2009 until his retirement in 2012. He began his career in 1971 rising to president and chief executive officer of Shaw’s Supermarkets (1991-98) before joining PetSmart, Inc. Francis is an active supporter of Arizona State University and a member of the board of trustees. In 2003 he received the Executive of the Year award from Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business Dean’s Council of 100. Francis serves on the Greater Phoenix Leadership Board of Directors and was Chairman 2009-2011.