Labor & Employment

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. announced Thursday that Tom Wyatt, president of Old Navy, will leave the chain, effective Feb. 3, 2012. The company named two senior Old Navy executives — Nancy Green, executive VP and chief creative officer, and Tom Sands, executive VP of stores and operations — to assume his duties while a search is held for a permanent replacement.

Wyatt, 56, was appointed president of Old Navy in 2008. He is leaving the chain to become the CEO of Portland, Ore.-based childhood education company Knowledge Universe.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway announced that Tom Keller, president of the company's Vons Division, will retire after more than 40 years of  service in the food industry, effective Feb. 1.

Gary Rocheleau, currently VP, retail merchandising execution, will lead Vons on an interim basis.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — After weeks of speculation, Kodak and its U.S. subsidiaries officially filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 business reorganization.

Beaumont, Texas -- Conn’s announced that it plans to close five underperforming stores during January 2012.

“The closing of the five stores this month is a continuation of our previously communicated plan to evaluate our existing store base and close or relocate underperforming stores. Additionally, we are progressing on our plans to open five to seven new stores in fiscal 2013, in areas with compelling demographic characteristics that we believe are favorable to our business model,” commented Theodore Wright, the company’s CEO.

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shopped announced that Bryan Q. Eshelman has been promoted to executive VP -- chief supply chain officer, effective immediately.

Eshelman joined Charming Shoppes in 2010 as senior VP -- operations, with responsibility for technology, logistics, technical design and quality assurance. He has led a number of key initiatives relating to Charming Shoppes' IT systems transformation and multi-faceted supply chain strategies.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — In an unexpected turn of events, Brian Cornell is stepping down as Sam’s Club president and CEO and will be replaced by Rosalind Brewer who currently serves as president of the Walmart U.S. East business unit. The company announced a number of other senior personnel changes as well in advance of new fiscal year.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. has announced that Tom Wyatt, president of its Old Navy brand, has resigned in order to take a position at another company outside of the apparel retail business, effective Feb. 3. The company has named two senior executives at Old Navy to lead the division, reporting to Gap Inc. chairman and CEO Glenn Murphy, while a formal search for a new brand president is under way.

Woodland Hills, Calif. — Great American Group, a provider of asset disposition, valuation and appraisal services, has appointed Mike Wyse to a new VP position at the company.

In the new role, Wyse will focus on generating revenue through the cross-promotion of all Great American Group’s services with an emphasis on the retail services sector.