Christy Sports CEO to Depart

Lakewood, Colo. — Christy Sports, a premier outdoor retailer with more than 60 locations, has announced the exit of CEO Matt Gold. He and the board of directors have mutually agreed to part ways at the end of April 2023.

Fiesta Restaurant Group Appoints President and CEO

Dallas — Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., parent company of the Pollo Tropical® brand, has appointed Dirk Montgomery as its permanent president and chief executive officer, effective April 13, 2023. He has served as interim CEO since December 8, 2022 and

Tilly’s, Inc. Appoints EVP, Chief Merchandising Officer

Irvine, Calif. — Tilly’s, Inc. has appointed Laura Janney as its executive vice president, chief merchandising officer, effective May 8, 2023. She will oversee all aspects of the company’s merchandising operations, including buying, sourcing and product development, along with coordinating

Starbucks Appoints Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Seattle — Starbucks Coffee Company has appointed Brad Lerman as executive vice president and general counsel following an extensive internal and external search. Lerman will serve on the executive leadership team, reporting directly to CEO Laxman Narasimhan, effective May 8,

Playa Bowls Names New Chief Executive Officer

Belmar, N.J. — Playa Bowls, a leading superfruit bowl shop, has appointed Dan Harmon as its new chief executive officer. As CEO, Harmon will leverage his extensive industry experience to accelerate the company’s overall growth strategies and performance. He succeeds

Energy Efficiency Leader Joins Budderfly as Chief Operating Officer

Shelton, Conn. — Budderfly, a premier sustainability partner for businesses with repeatable footprints, has added energy services leader Scott Avirett as its new chief operating officer (COO). Avirett will lead the development and implementation of an integrated customer experience and

Let’s Pave Welcomes Vice President of Sales

Oak Brook, Ill. — On April 4, Let’s Pave welcomed Chicago-based sales and marketing veteran Chris Walsh to the company as vice president of sales, reporting directly to CEO C.B. Kuzlik. As part of the executive leadership team, Walsh will

Boot Barn EVP & Chief Operating Officer Plans to Retire

Irvine, Calif. — Gregory V. Hackman, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Boot Barn Holdings, Inc., plans to retire later this year. He will continue with the company until his retirement date, currently estimated for June, and transition

Presto Promotes 2 Executives to President and COO

San Carlos, Calif. — Presto Automation Inc., one of the largest drive-thru automation technology providers in the hospitality industry, has promoted Dan Mosher to president and Xavier Casanova to chief operating officer, effective immediately. “Dan and Xavier have been key

Berner Air Curtains Honors 3 Foodservice Manufacturer’s Reps at NAFEM

Orlando, Fla. — Berner International LLC, a New Castle, Pa.-based manufacturer and innovator of air curtains, has honored foodservice manufacturer’s representative Swanson-Girard Associates (SGA), based in Pineville, N.C, with its Presidential Gold Award for Outstanding Sales Achievement–2021-2022. Brian Paolucci, sales

Imperial Dade Hires First Chief Digital Officer

Jersey City, N.J. — Imperial Dade, a leading distributor of foodservice packaging and janitorial supplies, has hired Devashish Saxena as its first chief digital officer. He will be focused on identifying how the organization can use the latest digital technologies

Macy’s, Inc. Announces Leadership Succession Plan

New York City — Macy’s, Inc.’s chairman and chief executive officer, Jeff Gennette, plans to retire in February 2024 after serving the company for 40 years. Tony Spring, Macy’s executive vice president and Bloomingdale’s chairman and CEO, has been appointed

Church’s Texas Chicken Names New VP, Strategy & Growth

Atlanta — Neel Patel joins Church’s Texas Chicken® as vice president, strategy & growth, a newly created role. He joined the company in late March. He reports directly to Joe Guith, CEO of Church’s Texas Chicken® and Texas Chicken™. In

Bloomingdale’s Promotes GMM to Chief Merchant

New York City — According to Tony Spring, Bloomingdale’s chairman and CEO, Denise Magid has been promoted to the newly created role of chief merchandising officer. She will report to Spring and will drive the strategic direction and performance of

Vulcan Names Project Manager – Custom and Heavy-Duty Products

Baltimore, Md. — Vulcan, a leading provider of commercial cooking equipment, has named Alex Piñero as project manager – custom and heavy-duty products for the company. The new hire is part of Vulcan’s efforts to enhance the customer experience with

GPS Hospitality Announces Promotion to Region Vice President

Atlanta — GPS Hospitality, one of the nation’s fastest-growing BURGER KING®, POPEYES® Louisiana Kitchen and Pizza Hut franchisees, has promoted Nick Myhre to region vice president. In his new capacity, Myhre will oversee the operations of 41 restaurants in Northwest

rue21 Appoints Chief Executive Officer

Warrendale, Pa. — rue21, a leading American specialty retailer, has named Josh Burris as its chief executive officer and member of the board. Burris replaces Bill Brand, who announced in March 2023 his intention to step down as CEO. “I’m

Laxman Narasimhan Officially Assumes Role of CEO of Starbucks

Seattle — Incoming CEO Laxman Narasimhan has assumed, officially, the role of chief executive officer of Starbucks, effective March 20. He will also join the company’s board of directors. Narasimhan was named incoming CEO on September 1, 2022, succeeding company

Shoe Carnival Names New EVP, Chief Financial Officer

Evansville, Ind. — Shoe Carnival, Inc., a leading retailer of footwear and accessories, has appointed Erik Gast as the company’s executive vice president, chief financial officer, effective April 24, 2023. Gast succeeds W. Kerry Jackson, who will be retiring after

The Home Depot Names EVP of Merchandising

Atlanta — The Home Depot has named William “Billy” Bastek as executive vice president of merchandising, effective immediately. He is a 33-year veteran of The Home Depot and brings tremendous experience to the role, having served in several leadership positions

Five Below Promotes CFO to COO

Philadelphia — Five Below, Inc. has promoted Kenneth Bull, chief financial officer and treasurer, to the role of chief operating officer. The company will conduct a search for a new chief financial officer, and Bull will continue to serve in

Church’s Texas Chicken Names New U.S. Chief Operations Officer

Atlanta — Church’s Texas Chicken® has hired Roland Gonzalez as U.S. chief operations officer. Gonzalez, who has held various senior executive roles in the quick-service industry, brings a wealth of experience in franchising, operations, P&L management, global business strategies and

MarineMax Promotes Chief Accounting Officer to EVP, Finance

Clearwater, Fla. — MarineMax, Inc., the world’s largest recreational boat, yacht and superyacht company, has promoted Anthony E. Cassella, Jr. to executive vice president, finance, in addition to his current title as chief accounting officer. Cassella has served as vice

POS Leader LINGA Appoints New VP of Sales

Naples, Fla. — LINGA rOS, the all-in-one cloud-based restaurant operating system provider, has appointed Daymion Phelps as its new vice president of sales. She joins LINGA from Heartland Retail. Phelps brings more than 20 years of retail automation solution sales

Express, Inc. President & COO to Retire

Columbus, Ohio — The president and chief operating officer of fashion apparel retailer Express, Inc., Matthew Moellering, plans to retire on May 5, 2023. He has been with the company for 20 years. Express has retained executive search and leadership

Bealls Inc. Promotes Long-Time Executive to President

Bradenton, Fla. — Bradenton, Fla.-based retailer Bealls, Inc. has promoted Tianne Doyle to president. Doyle began her career with Macy’s, joined Bealls in 1991 and rose to executive vice president and chief merchandise officer in 2020. She will be responsible