Blank will join Bernard Marcus , with whom he founded Home Depot in 1979, as co-chairman.

FORBES: Focus On The Forbes 500s: Home Depot's New CEO

The Depot's founders, Arthur Blank and Bernard Marcus, helped Home Way get off the ground in 1996.

FORBES: Hammered

That's down from the old days when he and cofounder and Chairman Bernard Marcus, 70, went to every new store opening.

FORBES: Profit in a Big Orange Box