Indiana-based gift company Dicksons has announced that Jim Potts will retire as president and CEO, effective Dec. 31. Steve Vandivier, who was promoted this summer to executive vice president, will assume the position, company officials said.

Tom Templeton, chairman of the Dicksons board, said Potts "has provided outstanding leadership and vision" during his 27 years with the company. "The value he places on people and service has positively impacted the company, the industries Dicksons serves and his community," Templeton said. "We will miss his counsel and wonderful sense of humor in our daily lives."

Potts joined Dicksons in February 1981 as sales manager. In 1995, he succeeded David Vandivier as president and CEO. He presided over the growth of Dicksons' sales and product line diversification, including Harbor House Witness Gifts, Cross Gifts, TON products and Premiere wall art.

Looking ahead, Templeton said: "Steve Vandivier embodies the regard for people and a drive to make Dicksons successful that his father, Dave Vandivier, did while he was president of Dicksons."

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