Birmingham, Ala. — Books-A-Million, Inc. has appointed Damian Doggett as chief financial officer. In this role, he will lead the finance organization and will be responsible for all aspects of financial operations. Doggett joined Books-A-Million in 2006 and has held various leadership roles within the finance organization including accounting manager, senior accounting manager, assistant controller, controller, senior vice president and chief accounting officer. “I am pleased to announce Damian’s well deserved promotion to CFO,” says Terrance G Finley, chief executive officer of Books-A-Million. “His years of strong creative leadership, coupled …
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West Concord, Mass. — Divert, Inc., a sustainable solutions company on a mission to solve the wasted food crisis and advance a circular economy, has expanded its executive leadership team with the appointment of four new strategic hires: Andrew Johnston as vice president of industrials, Derek Spillane as vice president of IT, Frenchie Audette as vice president of food service, and Lee DeVasier as vice president of transportation and supply chain. Johnston and Audette will spearhead strategy and revenue growth with the company’s industrials and food service customers. Spillane will …
Bolingbrook, Ill. — Dave Kimbell plans to retire from his position as chief executive officer of Ulta Beauty, the nation’s largest specialty beauty retailer, after 11 years with the brand. He will also step down from the company’s board of directors. Kecia Steelman, president and chief operating officer, will succeed Dave Kimbell as president and CEO and joined the company’s board on Jan. 6, 2025. Kimbell will serve as an advisor to the company through June 28, 2025. “On behalf of the board, we are grateful to Dave for his …
St. Louis — Panera Brands Inc., which includes the iconic fast-casual concept Panera Bread as well as the Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. brands, has named Paul Carbone, currently its chief financial officer, as interim chief executive officer of Panera, effective Jan. 7, 2025. Carbone, who joined Panera in 2023, brings decades of experience in the restaurant, consumer goods and retail industries, including as long-time CFO of Dunkin’ Brands. Carbone will lead the company while the board of directors completes a comprehensive search process, considering both internal and external candidates …
Memphis, Tenn. — AutoZone, Inc. has promoted two vice presidents to senior vice president positions. Bailey Childress, vice president, merchandising, has been promoted to senior vice president, omnichannel and merchandising support, and Luke Rauch, vice president, merchandising, has been promoted to senior vice president, merchandising and global sourcing. Childress and Rauch will join the company’s executive committee and report to Bill Hackney, executive vice president, merchandising, marketing and supply chain. “We are very pleased to announce today’s promotions. Bailey is a proven leader who has delivered outstanding results throughout his …
Los Angeles — ChowNow, a leader in online ordering and delivery for local restaurants, has appointed Kanika Soni as its new chief executive officer. Soni brings over 20 years of experience in the consumer tech sector with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation. As the new CEO, Soni will be responsible for developing and executing strategic initiatives to accelerate growth for ChowNow in this rapidly-changing market for online restaurant delivery platforms while ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction for restaurants and diners alike. Most recently, Soni served as chief …
Lake Worth, Fla. — The Florida-based, family-owned restaurant group, Duffy’s Sports Grill, has promoted Joe Webb to chief executive officer. Having served as president for the past 5 years, Webb has played a pivotal role in the brand’s continued success and commitment to excellence. “We are extremely proud of our legacy and being part of the fabric of our Florida communities,” says Geri Emmett, part of the company’s ownership group. “With Joe at the helm, we are confident that Duffy’s Sports Grill will continue to be a leader in food, …
Salisbury, N.C. — Ahold Delhaize USA has announced that Food Lion executive Greg Finchum, currently executive vice president, retail operations, will assume the role of president, in May 2025. The appointment comes after Meg Ham, president, Food Lion, announced that she will retire in May 2025. Finchum joined Food Lion in 1989 and has been in his current role for more than a decade. “We are excited to have Greg, a talented retail operator at heart, step into this role,” says JJ Fleeman, CEO, Ahold Delhaize USA. “Greg has held …
Quincy, Mass. — Claire Spofford, president and chief executive officer of J.Jill, Inc., a premier omnichannel retailer and nationally recognized women’s apparel brand, has decided to retire after a distinguished career in the retail space. J.Jill has retained an executive search firm to assist in identifying her successor. Spofford is expected to remain in her current role until April 2025 and will work closely with the executive team and the board of directors to ensure a seamless transition. She was appointed CEO in February 2021. “Under Claire’s leadership, J.Jill has …
Salisbury, N.C. — According to Ahold Delhaize USA, Meg Ham, president of Food Lion, plans to retire on May 2, 2025 after more than 35 years with the organization. She has been at the helm of Food Lion for more than a decade and has been part of the brand’s unprecedented growth. A successor for Ham will be announced before year-end. “Meg has been an outstanding leader at Ahold Delhaize USA and has led Food Lion during one of the brand’s most exciting times as it repositioned itself to better …