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 a 35-year career with the company.
Bringing over 30 years of finance experience with both private and public companies, Gast will join the company from Fleet Farm Group, LLC, where he has been the executive vice president & chief financial officer since 2020. Prior to that position, he held numerous executive leadership roles at other major retailers and customer facing brands, including Pilot Travel Centers, Family Dollar and Ace Hardware.
“We’re excited to welcome Erik to our leadership team,” says Mark J. Worden, president and chief executive officer. “His distinguished career in finance and accounting, along with his experience in strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, and his deep knowledge of the retail industry, will play a key role in our strategic growth initiatives as we seek to become a multibillion-dollar retailer.”
To assist with the transition, Jackson will continue to serve as the company’s senior executive vice president, chief financial and administrative officer and treasurer until April 24, 2023, and will remain with the company as its chief administrative officer until his retirement on May 9, 2023.
“Kerry has helped Shoe Carnival accomplish numerous significant milestones, including our initial public offering in 1993, exceeding the $1 billion annual sales mark in fiscal 2016 and completing our first acquisition in the company’s history in 2021,” says Worden. “We deeply appreciate his contributions and wish him the best in his well-earned retirement.”
Headquartered in Evansville, Ind., Shoe Carnival, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest family footwear retailers with nearly 400 stores in 35 states and Puerto Rico under its Shoe Carnival and Shoe Station banners. For more information, visit www.shoecarnival.com.
SOURCE: Shoe Carnival, Inc.