Chip Hornsby wants to be an inspiration and example for others, and as an executive who’s about to take the reins of a worldwide company, he’s in a good position to do that.

Claude “Chip” A.S. Hornsby III is the chief executive of North American operations for Wolseley plc and former president and chief executive officer of Ferguson Enterprises Inc. In August, he will relinquish the executive position for Wolseley’s North American operations to become the group chief executive of Wolseley plc and direct the worldwide operations of the company.

“Chip Hornsby’s life reflects the qualities that we endeavor to impart to our students each day – a commitment to excellence in all things, a willingness to engage and lead and a passion for making the world a better place,” said Christopher Newport University President Paul Trible in introducing Mr. Hornsby to the newest CNU graduates in December. Mr. Hornsby delivered the Winter Commencement address.

“I want to encourage students to stretch their imagination and explore possibilities for their lives,” Mr. Hornsby said. “When they do this, they’ll discover what their passion is and can then begin to develop a vision and a plan for their future. You don’t necessarily have to excel in academics, but find your passion – step out of your comfort zone and take risks. I did, and look what happened!”

Mr. Hornsby is a longtime supporter of CNU and has provided leadership as a member of the University’s Board of Visitors since 2001.

“It means a lot to me to be directly involved with President Trible and to be a part of setting the vision and direction of CNU,” he said. “Being on the Board of Visitors for the last four years was rewarding on two levels. First, it gave me an opportunity to collaborate with other members of the board and expand my thought processes to determine the emerging needs of the community. And second, on a professional level, it helped shape my thinking about some of the critical work force issues we will face in the near future.”

Mr. Hornsby contributed to the $2.6 million gift that Ferguson Enterprises committed to make the Ferguson Center for the Arts a reality. Ferguson Enterprises, which supplies a vast array of plumbing and builder products, industrial pipe, valves and fittings, heating and cooling equipment, waterworks products, and tool and safety products, also supports CNU through leadership and commitment to various programs.

“We support CNU because we believe strongly in education and want to partner with a fine institution that will deliver the kind of graduates who will go on and serve our community at large,” Mr. Hornsby said. “We welcome CNU graduates at Ferguson because we know they are so well prepared, and I’m proud to say that many of our associates are CNU Alumni.”

Mr. Hornsby is a graduate of Menchville High School in Newport News and Virginia Polytechnic and State University. He joined Ferguson as a management trainee 27 years ago and has held a number of increasingly responsible positions in the company.

He is a member of the National Association of Wholesalers, Southern Wholesalers Association and American Supply Association. He serves on the Pamplin Advisory Council at Virginia Tech. Mr. Hornsby resides in Mathews County with his wife, Lynn, and three daughters.

Wolseley plc, a $20.8 billion business, is the world’s largest specialist trade distributor of plumbing and heating products to professional contractors and a leading supplier of building materials in North America, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe.