Tractor Supply Company names new general counsel

A legal veteran with over two decades of experience will serve as Tractor Supply Company’s senior VP, general counsel and corporate secretary.

Noni Ellison will join Tractor Supply Company effective Jan. 11, 2021. In addition to assuming her new general counsel role, she will also join the company’s executive committee. Ellison will report directly to Hal Lawton, president and CEO of Tractor Supply. 

In addition to managing the legal department, Ellison will also lead the company’s risk management, government relations, licensing and quality assurance/customs compliance, as well as environmental, social and governance efforts. She succeeds Ben Parrish, who previously announced his plans to retire from Tractor Supply following the appointment of a successor and a transition period.

Ellison brings over two decades of legal and business experience in global corporations and private practice to her new role. Most recently, Ellison served as Carestream Dental’s general counsel, chief compliance officer and corporate secretary and a member of the executive leadership team. 

Prior to joining Carestream Dental, Ellison served as associate general counsel and assistant corporate secretary at Grainger. Before Grainger, Ellison held roles of increasing responsibility at Turner Broadcasting Systems Inc., and also worked at Scripps Networks as director of legal affairs and practiced law with two prominent national law firms as a corporate finance and securities associate. Ellison received her bachelor of arts degree from Howard University, magna cum laude. She earned her law degree and MBA from the University of Chicago.

“We are excited to welcome Noni to Tractor Supply as our new general counsel and a member of our executive committee,” said Tractor Supply president and CEO Hal Lawton. “Noni comes to us with an impressive background and a proven track record of accomplishments. She brings deep experience across multiple industries and an ability to navigate complex legal issues and build strong teams. We are looking forward to her contributions to help us continue to drive growth and strengthen our business.”

Tractor Supply Company is the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S. As of Sept. 26, 2020, the company operated 1,904 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and an e-commerce website.