Diversity & Inclusion

New York --  Foot Locker Inc. announced that, as part of a planned succession process, Ken Hicks, 61, intends to retire as president and CEO of the company on Dec. 1, 2014. Hicks, a highly-regarded retail veteran who has been wooed by other retailers for the top spot, will be succeeded as president and CEO by COO Richard (Dick) A. Johnson, 56, who has been with Foot Locker for almost two decades.  

Minneapolis -- Best Buy Co. Inc. has appointed J. Patrick Doyle, president and CEO of Domino’s Pizza, to its board of directors. Doyle, 51, joined Domino’s Pizza in 1997, serving in a variety of leadership roles across its domestic and international businesses, and has been president and chief executive officer of Domino’s since March 2010.   

General Mills has elected David M. Cordani to its board of directors.  Cordani, 48, is a president and CEO of Cigna Corporation, a global health insurance and health services company.  

Cordani joined Cigna in 1991 and has held a variety of finance and operating positions, including CEO for CIGNA Healthcare and president and CEO for Cigna Corporation.  

Denton, Texas -- Martha J. Miller is retiring from the board of directors of Sally Beauty Holdings Inc., effective Nov. 3, 2014. Miller has served on the board since SBH became an independent public company in 2006.   

A man behind some of America’s favorite brands will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from Chief Executive magazine.  Leslie H. Wexner, chairman and CEO of L Brands will be honored at the CEO2CEO Summit conference, Dec. 4, 2014, at the New York Stock Exchange.

Clickstop, a multi-brand online retailer, has promoted Sarah Watson to Director of Business Development, moving supplies, for the company’s largest online store, USCargoControl.com.

This promotion is in line with Clickstop’s focus on strength-based approach to employee learning implemented in 2014.  Watson's natural drive to achieve goals, anticipate obstacles, seek consensus and organize work to improve collaboration has propelled her into this new role, according to the company.

The Bill Blass brand is in for a breath of fresh air with the arrival of celebrated designer Chris Benz as new creative director.

Reporting directly to Stuart Goldblatt,  Bill Blass’ newly appointed president and CEO,  Benz will be responsible for the overall creative direction of the company.

Benz brings to Bill Blass years of experience in the fashion industry, including designing for Mark Jacobs and J.Crew, as well as his own collection CHRIS BENZ, launched in 2007.

Milan, Italy –- Leonardo Del Vecchio, 79, the chairman and founder of global eyewear manufacturer/retailer Luxottica Group who assumed the role of interim CEO on Oct. 14, has reportedly sent a letter to employees reassuring them his return as CEO is temporary. According to Reuters, in the letter, Del Vecchio said he would step down and turn management over to new co-CEOs once the company’s new governance structure is consolidated.  

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. was named Employer of the Year by the Ohio Governor's Council on People with Disabilities for significantly contributing to employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.   Kroger was nominated for this recognition by the Warren County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The company received the award at a ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse on Oct. 16.  

Niwot, Colo. -- Crocs Inc. is enacting several key management changes, including the appointment of Bob Munroe to general manager of Crocs Americas region; Greg Sullivan to the new role of senior VP of global business transformation; Scott Yuan to general manager of Greater China; and Michelle Poole to senior VP of global product creation and merchandising.