Labor & Employment

CINCINNATI — Kroger has named Scott M. Henderson VP of pension investment and strategy and Todd A. Foley VP and treasurer.

Henderson currently serves as Kroger's VP and treasurer, a position he has held since 2003. He will lead a new team that is responsible for overseeing nearly $12 billion of assets.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has announced plans to conduct in-depth safety inspections at every single factory in Bangladesh that produces goods for the retailer. The company says it aims to complete all reviews within six months and publicly release the names and inspection information on all 279 factories.  

Atlanta -- Aaron's has appointed Robert W. Kamerschen as the company’s senior VP and general counsel.

Kamerschen will be responsible for managing all legal and governmental affairs for Aaron's, including employment law, regulatory matters, intellectual property, litigation, vendor relationships, financings, acquisitions and other general legal matters. As general counsel, he will report directly to chairman, president and CEO Ronald W. Allen.

New York -- Toys "R" Us has appointed Antonio Urcelay, 61, the head of its European operations, as interim CEO, according to a filing the retailer made on Monday with the Securities and Exchange commission, The Record reported.

Urcelay replaces Gerald Storch, who announced in February that he would be stepping. At the time, Storch said he would remain as CEO during the transition. While his role as chief executive ended Sunday, he continues to serve as chairman of the board.

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners said it has appointed Bob Taylor as senior VP in the New York office.

This is Taylor’s second stint with SRS.  In his first, he directed Hard Rock Café’s national expansion and relocation efforts. Taylor will be focused on tenant and landlord representation for the New York team, and returns to SRS from Cassidy Turley, The Staubach Co., and Staubach Retail.

Cleveland -- Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services said it has named Craig M. Fuller director of the firm’s National Retail Group and Net Leased Properties Group in Cleveland.

Fuller joined Marcus & Millichap in June 2008. He specializes in the sale of both multi-tenant and single-tenant net-leased retail investment properties throughout the Midwest with a special focus on Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Minneapolis -- Cassidy Turley announced the promotion of five employees at its Minneapolis office.
 
Brian Woolsey has been promoted to managing director; he previously served as senior VP. Jennifer Pelant has been promoted to associate VP from associate; Mark Richardson has been promoted to assistant chief operating engineer, from lead operating engineer; Angela Samargia has been promoted to senior property manager, from property manager; and Robert Franks was promoted to business manager from senior office manager.
 

Toys “R” Us has made some changes to its executive leadership.

The company has announced that Michael D. Fascitelli and Michael Ward have resigned their spots on the company’s board of directors. Fascitelli has been a director of the board since 2005, while Ward has been a director since 2007.

According to Toys “R” Us, neither Fascitelli’s nor Ward’s resignation was brought on as a result of any disagreement with the company. 

European apparel retailer H&M and Inditex, parent company of fashion retailer Zara, are signing on to the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Agreement, an independent, legally-binding agreement to guarantee safe working conditions in the Bangladeshi garment industry. 

H&M is a top purchaser of garments from Bangladesh, and hopes that the agreement leads to “far-reaching improvements in working conditions.” 

ATLANTA — Aaron's, a lease-to-own retailer specializing in the sales and lease ownership of residential furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, has appointed Robert W. Kamerschen as the company’s new SVP and general counsel.