A nearly six-month search to find the new chief executive of Mills Fleet Farm is over.
 
Derick Prelle was appointed on Monday to lead the Brainerd-based retailer of outdoor and home supplies. He replaces Wayne Sales, the former Canadian Tire CEO who filled in as interim CEO in January.
 
Duncan Mac Naughton, a Walmart and Supervalu executive, held the job for 10 months before leaving for Family Dollar.
 
Mac Naughton had been the first major appointment made by investment firm KKR after it purchased Mills Fleet Farm last year for $1.2 billion.
 
The extent of Prelle’s tenure in retail exists between KKR and McKinsey & Company, a business consultancy headquartered in New York City. During his time at both companies, he worked with businesses such as Dollar General, National Vision and Del Monte.
 
“Every day since I first started working with Mills Fleet Farm over a year ago, I’ve found myself continuing to be more and more excited to be a part of the Mills Fleet Farm story,” Prelle said in a statement. “I am both honored and humbled to have the opportunity to lead such a special company, and appreciate the responsibility that comes with carrying and building upon the legacy Mills Fleet Farm has built over more than 60 years.”
 
With a successor in place, Sales said he would return to Mills Fleet Farm’s board of directors and serve as a special advisor. In regards to Prelle’s appointment, he said in a release that he “could not think of someone more fitting to lead” the company.