Labor & Employment

Covington, La. — Stirling Properties has opened a new office in downtown Mobile, Ala. The company’s first location in the state, the new office joins 11 others located in Louisiana and Mississippi, further strengthening Stirling’s presence in the Gulf South.

“This office will not only serve the surging market and growing economy of Mobile but also anchor the eastern side of the Interstate 10 corridor for Stirling Properties,” said Marty Mayer, Stirling’s president and CEO.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us announced that Antonio Urcelay has been named chief executive, effective immediately, after serving as the company’s interim CEO since May of this year. In other executive news, the retailer appointed a former Wal-Mart executive, Hank Mullany, as president of Toys “R” U.S., effective Nov. 5.

Urcelay, 61, who joined Toys “R” Us in 1996, had been president of the company's Europe business before being named interim CEO.

Benicia, Calif. — Cycle Gear has announced the opening of its first New York State store in Hicksville. With this new location, Cycle Gear has stores in 31 states. Company officials said this is the first of many planned stores in New York.

Employee-owned and enthusiast-driven, Cycle Gear is an active member of the riding community, sponsoring local events and working with new and experienced riders to help them find just the right gear.

St. George, Utah -- Family Dollar on Wednesday the grand opening of its 11th distribution center, in St. George, Utah.
 
“Opening our 11th distribution center is an important milestone for us,” said Howard Levine, Family Dollar’s chairman and CEO. “This facility is ideally located to support our growth in the West, helping us keep our stores well-stocked as we continue to provide customers in this region with great value and convenience.”

Cupertino, Calif. -- Apple Inc. has hired a much-admired fashion industry veteran to run its retail stores. The company announced Tuesday that Angela Ahrendts, CEO of British luxury giant Burberry Group Plc, has been appointed to the newly created position of senior VP of retail and online stores. She will join Apple in the spring from Burberry.

At Apple Ahrendts, 53, will become a member of the executive team and report directly to CEO Tim Cook. She will be the first woman on Apple’s 10-member executive team.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has appointed Paul D. O’Brien as the company’s president of the Asia Pacific region, a newly created position. O’Brien will report to president and CEO Brian P. Kelley.

The appointment coincides with current president of international business development Gerard Geoffrion’s announcement that he plans to retire at the end of calendar 2014.

O’Brien joins GMCR from Sara Lee Corporation, where he served as managing director of the Kitchens of Sara Lee Pty., based in Australia, since Nov. 2010.

Niwot, Colo. -- Former Wal-Mart executive Greg Sullivan has been appointed general manager of Crocs' Americas region, which includes all of North America, Central America and South America. In this role, Sullivan will be responsible for managing the region's day-to-day operations, including overseeing sales, marketing, finance and human resources functions, as well as the region's wholesale, Internet and direct-to-consumer channels.

Apple has announced that Angela Ahrendts, CEO of Burberry, will be joining the company as SVP of retail and online stores — a newly created position — and as a member of its executive team. Ahrendts will report to CEO Tim Cook.

Ahrendts will be charged with overseeing the strategic direction, expansion and operation of both Apple retail and online stores.