Chico’s Appoints Kent A. Kleeberger EVP and COO

Fort Myers, FL—Chico’s FAS, Inc. has appointed Kent A. Kleeberger to the position of executive vice president–COO. Current COO Jeffrey A. Jones is retiring from the company effective March 7, 2011. 

Fort Myers, FL—Chico’s FAS, Inc. has appointed Kent A. Kleeberger to the position of executive vice president–chief operating officer. He is assuming the position held by current COO Jeffrey A. Jones, who is retiring from the company effective March 7, 2011. Jones will serve as part-time consultant to the company during a transition period. 

 Kleeberger has served as executive vice president–finance and chief financial officer of Chico’s FAS since joining the company in November 2007. Prior to that, he was the senior vice president–chief financial officer for Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.  Before Dollar Tree, Kleeberger served in various financial and executive positions with Tween Brands, Inc., now part of Ascena Retail Group, Inc.; The Limited, Inc.; and Shoe Carnival, Inc.

 An executive recruitment firm is helping Chico’s to conduct a nationwide search for a chief financial officer, a search that will include internal candidates. Kleeberger will remain the company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer until a replacement is appointed. 

 Chico’s FAS, Inc. is a women’s clothing and accessories retailer that operates 1,151 specialty stores in 48 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Brands under the Chico’s FAS umbrella include Chico’s (596 boutiques, 65 outlet stores), White House | Black Market (342 boutiques, 21 outlet stores), and Soma Intimates (119 boutiques, 21 outlet stores).