Petland Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Petland has 6 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, financial management, revenue growth, and regional business development.

Committed to the human-animal bond, Petland delivers high-quality pet care solutions through a global franchise network while ensuring every animal finds the perfect home.

Leadership Roles at Petland

  • Chief Executive Officer - Dan Harari
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Joseph Watson
  • Chief Financial Officer - Bob Doerksen
  • Chief Operating Officer - Steven Steele
  • President, Gauntt Co - Steve Gauntt
  • Chief Revenue Officer - Steve Huggins
  • Dan Harari - Chief Executive Officer

    Dan Harari, the Chief Executive Officer at Petland, directs the overarching corporate strategy for the global franchise network. Harari architects long-term growth initiatives that expand the brand presence across international markets including Asia and South America. By aligning retail standards with the core mission of matching pets with owners, the Chief Executive Officer ensures consistent service quality across all locations. Harari monitors market trends to optimize the retail pet center model, driving operational excellence within the organization. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the board to maintain the financial health of the franchise system. Through rigorous oversight of brand integrity, Dan Harari secures the reputation of the company as a leader in the pet retail industry. Harari maintains a focus on sustainable expansion, ensuring that the human-animal bond remains the central pillar of every business decision made at the corporate level.

    Joseph Watson - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Joseph Watson, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Petland, manages the daily execution of the company mission across North American and global operations. Watson drives the strategic vision for the franchise model, ensuring that every retail center adheres to the highest standards of animal welfare and customer education. As the President & Chief Executive Officer, Watson oversees the integration of new franchise partners into the global network, facilitating seamless market entry. This role requires constant interaction with regional directors to ensure that the human-animal bond remains the primary focus of all retail activities. Joseph Watson evaluates performance metrics to refine the business model, supporting the long-term viability of the franchise system. By fostering strong relationships with stakeholders, Watson ensures that the company maintains a competitive edge in the global pet retail market while upholding the values established over four decades ago.

    Bob Doerksen - Chief Financial Officer

    Bob Doerksen, the Chief Financial Officer at Petland, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the entire franchise organization. Doerksen oversees the financial reporting processes, ensuring transparency and compliance across all international operations. As the Chief Financial Officer, Doerksen directs the budgeting and forecasting efforts that support the expansion of retail centers in diverse markets like South Africa and China. This leadership role involves analyzing revenue streams to identify opportunities for cost optimization and operational efficiency. By providing data-driven insights to the executive team, Bob Doerksen enables informed decision-making regarding new market investments and infrastructure upgrades. Doerksen maintains rigorous control over financial assets, protecting the long-term stability of the company. Through careful management of capital resources, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the organization possesses the necessary funding to sustain the growth of the global pet retail network.

    Steven Steele - Chief Operating Officer

    Steven Steele, the Chief Operating Officer at Petland, directs the internal processes and supply chain logistics that support retail centers worldwide. Steele architects scalable operational frameworks that allow franchise owners to maintain consistent service levels across different geographic regions. As the Chief Operating Officer, Steele monitors the daily performance of retail units, ensuring that every location meets the strict standards for pet care and customer engagement. This role involves coordinating with regional managers to streamline inventory management and staff training programs. By implementing efficient operational protocols, Steven Steele enhances the overall customer experience and strengthens the human-animal bond. Steele evaluates operational data to identify bottlenecks, driving continuous improvement across the franchise network. Through the oversight of daily business functions, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the company remains agile and responsive to the evolving needs of pet owners in every market.

    Steve Gauntt - President, Gauntt Co

    Steve Gauntt, the President, Gauntt Co at Petland, directs the specialized business development efforts that support the broader franchise mission. Gauntt architects strategic partnerships that expand the reach of the company into new demographic segments and geographic areas. As the President, Gauntt Co, Gauntt oversees the integration of unique retail solutions that complement the core pet center model. This role involves managing high-level relationships with external vendors and industry partners to ensure the availability of high-quality resources for all franchise locations. By focusing on innovation within the retail space, Steve Gauntt drives the evolution of the brand to meet modern consumer expectations. Gauntt monitors the performance of these specialized initiatives, ensuring they contribute positively to the overall growth of the organization. Through the leadership of Gauntt Co, the President ensures that the company maintains its status as an industry leader in the pet retail sector.

    Steve Huggins - Chief Revenue Officer

    Steve Huggins, the Chief Revenue Officer at Petland, directs the sales strategies and revenue growth initiatives for the global franchise network. Huggins architects marketing campaigns that increase brand awareness and drive customer traffic to retail centers across North America and international territories. As the Chief Revenue Officer, Huggins oversees the development of new revenue streams, including premium pet products and specialized services that enhance the human-animal bond. This role involves analyzing consumer behavior to tailor sales approaches to specific regional markets. By optimizing the sales funnel and improving conversion rates, Steve Huggins ensures the financial success of individual franchise locations. Huggins collaborates with the marketing and operations teams to align promotional activities with the overall corporate mission. Through the strategic management of sales performance, the Chief Revenue Officer secures the market position of the company as a premier destination for pet owners seeking quality care and companionship.
    Steve Huggins

    Explore Leadership Teams in Pet Products

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Petland Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Petland?
    Petland is led by Dan Harari (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Joseph Watson (President & Chief Executive Officer) and Bob Doerksen (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Petland’s executive team?
    The executive team of Petland includes leaders such as Dan Harari (Chief Executive Officer), Joseph Watson (President & Chief Executive Officer), Bob Doerksen (Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Petland have?
    Petland has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Petland’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Petland includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President, Gauntt Co.