Nashville, Tenn. — W. Michael Madden has resigned from his roles as president, chief executive officer and director of Kirkland’s, Inc., effective immediately, and will serve as an employee-advisor to the board until June 30, 2018. Michael B. Cairnes, the company’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, will serve as acting CEO while the board conducts a search for a new CEO.
retailers
New York City — On April 7, 2018, Brooks Brothers, America’s oldest retailer, marked its 200-year anniversary. Since opening its doors on April 7, 1818, in New York City, Brooks Brothers has grown from a small family haberdasher to become a global brand that has shaped and defined American style.
Washington, D.C. — L’Occitane en Provence, the prestige beauty brand, continues to evolve its experiential retail strategy with the launch of the L’Occi Truck — the first-ever traveling shop experience for the brand. The unique retail store, encapsulated on wheels, presents a new direct-to-consumer shopping model, bringing the spirit and beauty of Provence across North America.
St. Louis — Jessica Carroll has joined Knoebel Construction as chief financial officer. She is responsible for the administrative, financial and risk management operations of Knoebel Construction. She also maintains financial control systems and develops financial reports.
Hoffman Estates, Ill. — Sears Holdings Corporation has been named a 2018 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award winner for continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency achievements. In addition, the Kenmore brand has been named a 2018 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Product Brand Owner. According to the EPA, it marks the first time a company has won all three awards: Retailer, Energy Management and Brand Owner.
Mooresville, N.C. — After 25 years with Lowe’s Companies, Inc., Robert A. Niblock plans to retire as chairman, president and CEO of the company. The board of directors has initiated a search for his successor, and in the interim Niblock will remain in his current role.
Cincinnati — The Kroger Co. has launched a new wastewater treatment system — an anaerobic digester —at K.B. Specialty Foods, a manufacturing plant owned and operated by the company in Greensburg, Ind. The digester will convert biogas from food byproducts into energy.