SAN DIEGO, April 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Petco today announced that Larry Rutkowski has joined the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In this position, Rutkowski will be responsible for leading the company's overall financial strategy, including corporate finance, accounting, investor relations, real estate, risk management, loss prevention, information technology, supply chain, law and business development functions.<br /><br />Rutkowski brings substantial consumer market and public company experience to Petco.<br /><br />"Larry is a highly accomplished executive with a proven track record of successful financial leadership for both public and privately-held companies," said Petco CEO Jim Myers.  "His unique skillset and experience in a diverse array of industries will serve us well as we continue to advance Petco's leadership position in pet specialty. We're thrilled to add Larry to our executive team."<br /><br />Rutkowski is charged with overseeing an overall corporate financial strategy that drives revenues, leads continuous margin and cost structure improvements and ensures the delivery of financial and accounting information to stakeholders in a way that is accurate, timely, relevant and transparent.<br /><br />"It's an exciting opportunity to join a company that has built such a strong and trusted brand, demonstrating clear leadership in its category, while continuing to grow every day," said Rutkowski. "As a fellow pet parent, I'm thrilled to be part of a team that puts both business innovation and a collective passion for pets at the center of everything they do."<br /><br />Prior to joining Petco, Rutkowski served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for The Warnaco Group, an American textile and clothing corporation, and Primedia, a consumer advertising, new media and publishing company, both in New York City. Previously, he also held senior financial leadership positions at General Electric and Walt Disney Company.<br /><br />Rutkowski holds a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Michigan State University. He will be based out of Petco's corporate support center in San Diego, where the company was founded in 1965.<br /><br />About Petco and the Petco Foundation<br />Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that focuses on nurturing powerful relationships between people and pets. We do this by providing the products, services, advice and experiences that keep pets physically fit, mentally alert, socially engaged and emotionally happy. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,300 Petco locations across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, including more than 100 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop; nine Pooch Hotel destinations for pet daycare, boarding and spa services; and petco.com. The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has raised more than $125 million since it was created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 400,000 animals every year.