Diversity & Inclusion

YORK, Pa. -- The Bon-Ton Stores announced its board of directors unanimously approved an amendment to Bud Bergren’s employment agreement, which states Bergren will continue to serve as president and CEO through Feb. 5, 2012. His term as president and CEO will automatically renew for successive periods of one year unless either the company or Bergren elects not to renew his term as president and CEO.

Philadelphia -- A survey released Tuesday by management consultancy Hay Group, ranking the 20 best companies for in terms of leadership, said that both Walmart and McDonald’s made the sixth annual list, but incumbents Zappos and Ikea dropped out of the rankings.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Walmart, the presenting sponsor of the America I AM: The African-American Imprint tour, will offer specially-priced tickets at select Walmart stores in the Washington, D.C. area.

Walmart is offering tickets at the lowest available price: $10 for adults and $5 for children, or 17% off standard ticket prices.

America I AM is a four-year touring museum exhibition that celebrates nearly 500 years of African-American contributions to this country.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Fortune on Thursday released its “100 Best Companies to Work For” list, ranking Wegmans Food Markets No. 3 and making the New York-based grocer the highest-ranked retailer. Only the software firm SAS and consulting organization Boston Consulting Group ranked higher. Wegmans has appeared on the Fortune list for 14 consecutive years, every year since the list was first published in 1998.

HOUSTON  -- The Men's Wearhouse announced that Grace Nichols has been elected to the company's board of directors, effective January 30, increasing the number of directors to nine.

Houston -- The Men's Wearhouse said Friday it has elected former Victoria's Secret Stores CEO Grace Nichols to its board of directors.

The appointment is effective Jan. 30.

Nichols will be the ninth member of the company's board. She worked at Limited Brands for 20 years and was CEO of Victoria's Secret Stores from 1992 to 2007. Nichols is also on the boards of Pacific Sunwear of California and of New York & Co.

Washington, D.C. -- An endorsement by First Lady Michelle Obama of its new food nutrition and health initiative has helped to propel Wal-Mart Stores forward in its plans to remove political obstacles to further U.S. growth.

The new healthy food drive, in which Walmart is reformulating its Great Value private-label foods to reduce sodium and sugar contents, was announced on Thursday at a community center in a low-income area of Washington, D.C. It was attended by the First Lady, who also leads an administration initiative to fight childhood obesity.

New York City -- New York & Co. announced on Wednesday the appointment of David Witkewicz to executive VP design, effective this month.

Witkewicz will report to Greg Scott, president, and will serve on the company’s executive committee.

Witkewicz was previously VP design for Coach.

By George F. Brown, Jr., [email protected]

The increased pace of merger and acquisition activity late in 2010, including some huge deals, suggests that 2011 will be an active year. Low interest rates, significant cash on many firms’ balance sheets, and stock prices that are low enough to attract buyers but high enough to move sellers off the sidelines all reinforce that possibility.

ATLANTA - The Home Depot announced that Aaron Carmack has been promoted to president, The Home Depot Canada, effective Jan. 31.  Carmack, the current regional VP of the Pac North region in the U.S., is replacing Annette Verschuren, who is leaving the company after nearly 15 years of service.