Ankeny, Iowa — The board of directors of Casey’s General Stores, Inc. has appointed Darren Rebelez, president of IHOP®, as Casey’s next president and chief executive officer (CEO), effective June 24, 2019. Rebelez will also join Casey’s board of directors. He will succeed Casey’s president and CEO, Terry Handley, who will retire from the company and board, after a 38-year career with Casey’s. Rebelez joins Casey’s with over 25 years of business leadership experience focused on operations, marketing and merchandising for large corporations in each of the convenience store, fuel …
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Plano, Texas — J. C. Penney Company, Inc. has hired Victor Ejarque Lopez, a 25-year veteran of merchandising, product, supply chain and operations, as senior vice president, general merchandise manager for women’s apparel, reporting to Michelle Wlazlo, chief merchandising officer. He will join the company June 10. In this role, he will be responsible for overseeing and developing all of the company’s women’s apparel merchandising strategies and programs. “I am delighted to welcome Victor to our team. His appointment fills a vital component of our merchandising leadership team, and we …
Jericho, N.Y. — Nathan’s Famous has hired James Walker, CFE, as the company’s senior vice president, restaurants. He joins the company from Subway where he was vice president, North America, overseeing all franchised restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. “We are excited to have James on board to lead our all-important restaurant division,” says Eric Gatoff, CEO of Nathan’s Famous. “While our success over the last decade has largely come from our product licensing and foodservice businesses, Nathan’s started as a restaurant company in 1916. James’ skill set includes extensive …
Plano, Texas — J. C. Penney Company, Inc. has named Shawn Gensch as executive vice president, chief customer officer, effective June 3, reporting directly to CEO Jill Soltau. He joins the company from Sprouts Farmers Market. “I am delighted to welcome Shawn to JCPenney. His appointment fills a vital component of our executive leadership team,” says Soltau. “His proven leadership in brand management, digital marketing, analytics, mobile applications and customer loyalty programs makes him the ideal candidate to join our team.” In this role, Gensch will oversee all aspects of …
Phoenix — The most prestigious honor bestowed at Telgian each year is the Pat Ryan Team Spirit Award. The award celebrates teamwork at its highest level and was created in memory of Telgian associate Pat Ryan. This award recognizes the spirit of teamwork that Ryan personified, and it is presented annually to the Telgian team associate who best embodies his example. Ryan dedicated his life’s work to the fire protection industry, with a distinguished career spanning 29 years in a variety of capacities. He served with the San Diego Fire …
Orange, Calif. — Branded Group’s co-founder and vice president of business development, Kiira (Esposito) Belonzi, has been nominated for the Orange County Business Journal’s 2019 Women in Business Award. The awards program, entering its 25th year, highlights exceptional female business leaders who are making a difference in their organization and community. “I am honored to be recognized as an outstanding businesswoman in Orange County,” Belonzi says. “I’m also grateful to have co-founded an organization that empowers women to achieve personal and professional success.” Her co-founder, Branded Group CEO Michael Kurland, …
Columbia, Md. – The board of directors of The Greene Turtle has named Geovannie “Geo” Concepcion, formerly COO of Minneapolis-based Famous Dave’s, as president/CEO. He plans to guide the 44-unit casual dining chain to the next stage in its growth and success. During his time with Famous Dave’s, Concepcion oversaw company and franchise operations, marketing, IT, culinary, franchise sales and training, and compiled a stellar track record overseeing initiatives in many areas on which The Greene Turtle is now focused. Under his leadership, same-store sales at company-owned stores grew for …
North Plainfield, N.J. — Levin Management Corporation (LMC), a North Plainfield, N.J.-based commercial real estate services firm, has added Erika Toscani as vice president of property management. She brings more than 20 years of property management and industry leadership experience in the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania markets to her new position. Prior to joining LMC, Toscani held key management positions at Transwestern and Newmark Knight Frank. In her current role, she will ensure the delivery of Levin’s best-in-class service standards at each of its managed commercial properties, while …
Tampa, Fla. — Restaurant Magic has promoted Michael Beck to vice president of sales & marketing. Prior to this promotion, Beck was Restaurant Magic’s director of sales. In his new role, Beck will work to grow, train and manage Restaurant Magic’s national sales team. He will also direct the organization’s brand and marketing strategy. Beck has over 20 years of hospitality operations, sales and leadership experience. Prior to joining Restaurant Magic, he had sales and leadership positions at Xpient and Altametrics. “Michael has continued to grow and embrace new challenges …
Union, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has announced that Mary Winston, a seasoned public company executive who recently joined the Bed Bath & Beyond board of directors, has been appointed interim chief executive officer, effective immediately. Steven Temares has stepped down as CEO and resigned as a member of board. The board has formed a CEO search committee to identify a permanent CEO and will retain an executive search firm to assist in the search process. The board’s search process will focus on individuals who have transformation and …