Hackett family remains involved

OGDENSBURG — Both Patrick E. Hackett Jr. and Juliann Hackett-Cliff will remain a part of their family business despite a recent leadership shake-up.

Mr. Hackett will be the operations director of the Patrick Hackett Hardware Co. and Mrs. Hackett Cliff will be the merchandising director, according to Herbert L. Becker, who was hired Monday as chief operations officer and vice-president of the company.

According to Thomas W. Scozzafava, chief executive officer of Seaway Valley Corp., which owns Hacketts, the pair are not under contract with the company, but will continue working in their positions as consultants.

Mrs. Hackett-Cliff said that the pair are continuing contract negotiations with the parent company and did not comment about whether they plan to continue with Hacketts.

Mr. Becker said their positions will not largely change from the vice-president posts they held until March, when they resigned to avoid liability as officers in a financially troubled company.

They had continued their work as consultants, company officials said.

Although the pair are fifth-generation descendants of the company's founder and became owners in 2001, Mr. Becker said keeping the family in the business was not a factor in his decision.

"If they weren't skilled with what they can do, they wouldn't be here. They're here because they fill a role, so as long as they will fill that role they'll be here," Mr. Becker said. "They are good people, doing a good job and I'm glad they're here."

Norman V. Garrelts, former president and chief executive officer, will not remain at the company. Mr. Garrelts, who had worked at the company since 1965 and spent 14 years as CEO, also resigned his position in March, but remained on as a consultant. Mr. Becker said Mr. Garrelts decided to retire Tuesday and cleaned out his desk Thursday.

"We already feel the loss of our friend Norm, but he has moved on," Mr. Becker said.

Mr. Becker will take over Mr. Garrelts role of overseeing the daily operations of all stores, he said.

Mr. Becker said he focused his first week on restructuring the management at the struggling company.

Since March, Hacketts has announced store closings in Massena, Watertown, Canton and Pulaski. Stores in Ogdensburg, Potsdam, Sackets Harbor and Tupper Lake remain open.

"We're working as fast as we can to get our company back to life here and cleaned up," he said.