C-Suite Moves: January update
Here are the major C-suite changes that occurred in January, in the order they were announced. (All changes have already taken effect unless otherwise noted.)
•Victoria’s Secret chief financial and administrative officer Timothy (TJ) Johnson is retiring in June 2025. Scott Sekella has been appointed CFO.
•Starbucks announced that chief supply chain officer Arthur Valdez is leaving the company. Also leaving is 20-year company veteran Sara Trilling, executive VP and president of Starbucks, North America. In new appointments, Meredith Sandland will join Starbucks as executive VP, chief store development officer, and Mike Grams, who will take on the role of executive, North America chief stores officer.
•Jason Buechel, the chief executive of Whole Foods Market, is taking on an expanded role leading Amazon Worldwide Grocery Stores while maintaining his current role. As part of his new role, Buechel will now oversee Amazon's Fresh supermarkets, Go cashierless stores and online grocery service.
•The chief marketing and e-commerce officer of Ulta Beauty, Michelle Crossan-Matos, stepped down from her role.
•Brendan Hoffman was set to return as CEO of luxury apparel brand Vince on or around Feb. 3. He previously led the company from 2015 to 2020.
•The Fresh Market named Brian Johnson as president and CEO. Johnson served as COO of the specialty grocer since 2020.
•Eric Artz will retire as president and CEO of REI Co-op in March. He will be succeeded by Mary Beth Laughton, who will join the outdoor gear and apparel retailer as president on Feb. 3, before assuming full CEO responsibilities on March 31. Most recently, Laughton led Nike’s global retail and digital direct-to-consumer business.
•Extreme-value grocer Grocery Outlet appointed Jason Potter as president and CEO. He joined the company from specialty grocer The Fresh Market. where he served as CEO and a board member since March 2020.
•Michaels established an interim office of the chief executive officer to provide ongoing leadership continuity following the departure of CEO Ashley Buchanan to take the reins of Kohl’s Corp. Heather Bennett, president, Stacey Shively, chief merchandising officer, and Perry Pericleous, CFO, have been appointed to lead the interim office.
•Advance Auto Parts named Shweta Bhatia as executive VP and chief technology officer. Most recently, Bhatia served as senior VP of technology at Dollar General.
•José Alberto Dueñas departed as chief executive of Panera Brands. Paul Carbone, currently CFO, was named interim CEO.
• Michael D. Casey retired as chairman and CEO of Carter’s Inc. Richard F. Westenberger has been appointed interim CEO in addition to his responsibilities as senior executive VP, CFO and COO.
•Ulta Beauty announced the retirement of CEO Dave Kimbell. Kecia Steelman, Ulta president and COO, succeeds him as president and chief executive and will join the company’s board.
