Genesco names CFO

Genesco Inc. has tapped a retail veteran as its next chief financial officer.

The footwear and accessories retailer appointed Mel Tucker, 54, as senior VP of finance and CFO. effective June 24, 2019.  He succeeds Mimi E. Vaughn, who recently was promoted to COO.

Tucker joins Genesco with more than 25 years of financial leadership with both publicly-held and privately-owned retail company experience. Most recently, he served as CFO of New York-based Century 21 Department Stores where he led finance, procurement, IT, treasury and the private label credit business.     

In previous roles, Tucker was CFO at Bass Pro Shops, senior VP of finance with PetSmart, and VP of financial planning and analysis with Circuit City. He began his career with Home Depot where he held various progressively more responsible corporate accounting and finance positions from 1990 to 2005, including vice president of finance.

“We conducted a thorough search for a strong leader, looking for the right qualities and cultural fit," said Genesco chairman, president and CEO Robert J. Dennis. “Mel's analytic rigor, considerable financial management experience gained across a number of preeminent retail companies, insight on the retail industry, track record of growth and strong leadership of people will add great value as we look to build upon Genesco's recent success and drive future growth as a footwear-focused company."

Genesco Inc., based in Nashville, operates more than 1,500 retail stores throughout the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Schuh, Schuh Kids, Little Burgundy, Johnston & Murphy, and on websites.In addition, Genesco sells wholesale footwear under its Johnston & Murphy brand, the Trask brand, the licensed Dockers brand, and other brands.