Labor & Employment

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Dish Network announced that it has named a president for its newly-acquired subsidiary, Blockbuster. Michael Kelly, who most recently served as EVP of Dish Network's commercial services division as well as both the direct sales and media sales organizations and played a key role in Dish Network's purchase of Blockbuster. has been charged with returning the struggling retailer to profitability.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Retail Industry Leaders Association announced that Christine Pollack has joined the association as VP government relations, focusing on healthcare policy and serving as one of RILA’s lead advocates on core retail industry priorities.

Vienna, Va. -- Golfsmith announced it will open its first metro Washington, D.C., location in Tysons Corner, Va., this June. The new location is part of an aggressive growth strategy for the company.

Golfsmith’s stores offer an interactive experience, and customers are encouraged to test out clubs and gear inside the store before purchasing. They can also use one of the four custom-fitting studios to test drive new clubs. The company also offers free custom club fitting services.

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Strong earnings and sales growth in the first quarter helped drive up Publix's stock price.

Publix’s sales for the first quarter of 2011 were $6.8 billion, a 4.4% increase from last year’s $6.5 billion. Comparable-store sales for the first quarter of 2011 increased 2.8%.

Net earnings for the first quarter of 2011 were $398.2 million, compared with $364.4 million in 2010, an increase of 9.3%. Earnings per share for the first quarter increased to 51 cents for 2011, up from 47 cents per share in 2010.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced a successor for Larry Merlo as its new board of directors chairman, along with several other elected officers, at its 2011 Annual Meeting. Robert Loeffler, who serves as H-E-B's chief administrative officer, will replace Merlo, who is CVS Caremark president and CEO, as NACDS board chairman. Additionally, Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson was elected vice chairman, while Thrifty White president and CEO Robert Narveson was named treasurer.

North Plainfield, N.J. -- Levin Management Corp. announced it has promoted Harold Harris from VP to senior VP, effective immediately.

Harris joined Levin as controller in 1985 and was named CFO in 1990. Responsible for all aspects of finance and lease administration for the company’s management portfolio, Harris also oversees real estate tax and financing reviews, human resources, and risk management.
 

Atlanta -- The Home Depot Foundation announced that it has created a $1 million weather impact fund to aid relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts in response to the recent storms throughout the Southeast and Midwest United States, and in expectation of continuing violent storms throughout the spring season.

Asheville, N.C. — Net sales and net income for Ingles Markets realized a 4% and 38% increase, respectively, during the second quarter ended March 26, the retailer announced Friday.

Ingles reported that second-quarter net sales rose $33.4 million to $870.4 million, while second-quarter net income increased from $5.6 million to $7.7 million.