Ace Hardware, the $3.7 billion Oak Brook, Ill.-based hardware cooperative, named William Guzik CFO. He succeeds Dorvin Lively, who left last August to become CFO of RadioShack. Guzik, 52, served as CFO and executive vice president at Midas International for 13 years. He previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers, JG Industries and Delray Farms.

Weight Watchers, the $1.8 billion New York-based weight loss company, appointed Nicholas Hotchkin CFO. He succeeds Ann Sardini, who retired in March. Hotchkin, 46, joins Weight Watchers from Staples, where he most recently served as senior vice president of finance for the U.S. retail division. Earlier, Hotchkin was Staples' senior vice president of finance and treasurer, and worked in finance at Delphi Corp and General Motors.

State Auto Insurance Companies, a $1.5 billion Columbus, Ohio-based insurer, named Cynthia Powell chief risk officer, a new position for the company. She currently serves as treasurer and chief accounting officer. Powell, 51, joined State Auto in 1990 after working for three years as a certified public accountant.