Diversity & Inclusion

John Crossman talks about his induction into the FSU Business Hall of Fame

In April, John Crossman, president of Orlando, Fla.-based real estate firm Crossman & Co., became the youngest inductee into the Florida State University College of Business Hall of Fame.

Established in 2003, FSU's College of Business Hall of Fame honors graduates who have excelled in their careers, earned significant recognition for professional achievements and community service, and made significant contributions to the mission of the College of Business.

Fremont, Calif. – George Zimmer, the founder and executive chairman of Men’s Wearhouse who was stripped of his executive chairman title last week and has been engaging in a war of words with the retailer ever since, continued his verbal battle in an open letter released on June 26.

Dramatic growth and purchasing power of U.S. Latino population demands retailer attention

Paula Deen fell from grace this week faster than a slab of butter melting in one of her opening price point pans Walmart no longer sells.

Walmart, as well as Home Depot, Target and Smithfield Foods, sought to distance themselves from Deen after racist comments she made during a deposition came to light and she was canned by the Food Network.

Jacksonville, Fla. – Stein Mart has named Jay Stein, its interim CEO since September 2011, as permanent CEO. Stein has been chairman of Stein Mart’s board of directors since 1989 and will remain in that position. He also served as CEO from 1990 to 2001.

SEATTLE — Nordstrom has appointed Intuit president and CEO Brad Smith to the company’s board of directors. 

His addition brings the total number of directors to 12, 9 of whom serve as independent directors. Nordstrom directors serve one-year terms and the company requires annual elections of all board members.

Smith was named president and CEO of Intuit in January 2008, culminating a five-year rise through the company where he led several of its major businesses. 

Kansas City, Mo. – Hallmark Cards has named Claire Hughes Johnson, VP at Google, to its board of directors. Johnson, who has been with Google since 2004, currently runs its Google Offers mobile-to-store business and also has led global online sales and the new products and solutions teams, as well as teams responsible for Gmail, Google Wallet and Google Apps. Before Google, Johnson’s experience includes serving as a management consultant.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hallmark Cards has elected Claire Hughes Johnson, VP at Google to the company’s board of directors.

"Claire Hughes Johnson has broad experience in developing innovative new businesses and business models," said Hallmark vice chairman, president and CEO Donald J. Hall Jr. "Her knowledge of the rapidly changing digital space as well as her experience leading global business and product teams will help us as we consider new opportunities and develop strategic plans to expand our business."