Labor & Employment

THOROFARE, N.J. — Checkpoint Systems, a global supplier of shrink management, merchandise visibility and apparel labeling solutions for the retail industry, has appointed Jeff Richard as EVP and CFO. Richard will replace Raymond D. Andrews, who is retiring from the company July 31. Andrews will remain with the company during the transition.

DALLAS — Kimberly-Clark has named Karen Leets as its new VP and treasurer, succeeding Nancy Loewe, who will continue to serve as the company's chief strategy officer. Leets will report to SVP and CFO Mark A. Buthman.

In her new role, Leets will be responsible for the entire treasury practice at Kimberly-Clark, including capital markets, cash planning, global cash and foreign exchange management, real estate and banking and rating agency relationship management.

Philadelphia -- Wet Seal Inc. agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle a federal racial discrimination lawsuit that accused retailer of firing black employees because they didn’t fit the retailer’s “brand image.”
   
The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund represented the plaintiffs in the class-action effort. The lawsuit alleged that former top Wet Seal executives denied equal pay and promotion opportunities to black store managers or removed them outright, replacing them with white employees.

Los Angeles -- Bebe Stores, Inc. is naming Keith Keegan as senior VP of marketing, effective May 13. Keegan will be in charge of all aspects of marketing and branding across all Bebe brands and report to CEO Steve Birkhold.

Previously, Keegan has worked for Abercrombie and Fitch, Limited, and Express and most recently served as VP of marketing and creative director for American Eagle and the Aerie brand.

LOS ANGELES — Bebe has appointed former Limited executive Keith Keegan as SVP of marketing. In his new role, Keegan will lead all aspects of marketing and branding across all channels of the business. He will report to CEO Steve Birkhold.

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DALLAS — HoneyBaked has entered into a software licensing agreement with PeopleAnswers. Under the agreement, the food retailer will leverage the PeopleAnswers HR-focused business solution to upgrade its recruiting process and increase employee retention and performance in its 111 company-owned stores.

ATLANTA — Elavon, a leading global payments provider and wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp, has promoted Simon Haslam to the position of president and CEO. Haslam succeeds Mike Passilla, who recently departed the company.

Haslam joined Elavon in 2005 and was president of Elavon International Markets. He is credited with leading Elavon’s successful expansion throughout Europe, South America and Latin America, including the company’s recently completed joint venture with Banco Santander.