C-SUITE

Howard Schultz is leaving his post as CEO of the company he built into a global coffee empire, but he’s not retiring.   Schultz will step down as CEO of Starbucks Corp. on April 3, at which time he will be appointed executive chairman and shift his focus to the company’s new upscale initiatives — the design and development of Starbucks Reserve Roasteries around the world and the expansion of the Starbucks Reserve retail store format — along with its social impact programs.     

HSN, Inc. has appointed Rod Little as CFO, effective January 3, 2017.   Most recently, Little served as executive VP and CFO of Elizabeth Arden, where he led the company’s global finance and IT organizations and was instrumental in a turnaround that restored revenue growth and profitability, ultimately resulting in the company’s sale to Revlon.  Prior to that, Little was CFO for Procter & Gamble’s multi-billion dollar global salon professional division.   

Kirkland's has named its very first COO.    The home décor retailer named Mike Cairnes as executive VP and COO, effective November 28, 2016.   Cairnes brings 25 years of experience in home décor retailing and manufacturing to Kirkland's. He was most recently with Michael's Stores, where he served concurrently as president of its Aaron's Brothers retail business, since 2015, and president of its Artistree framing business, since 2007.    

The president of Office Depot’s North American operations is stepping down.   Marc Crosby is leaving the company “to pursue other opportunities,” according to the Sun Sentinel, which cited a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. No date was given for his departure.  

Nicole Beck, a skilled project management specialist, has joined H.J. Martin and Son as a project coordinator within the company’s fixtures division. In that role, she oversees the installation of functional, appealing solutions for retailers.  

Gap Inc. has appointed Teri List-Stoll as executive VP and CFO, effective January 17, 2017.   List-Stoll will succeed Sabrina Simmons, whose departure was previously announced. Simmons will shift into an advisory role through the end of the company’s fiscal year.     Most recently, List-Stoll held the position of executive VP and CFO for Dick’s Sporting Goods. She left Dick’s in August 2016.     

The CFO of Neiman Marcus has resigned after 15 months on the job.   Donald Grimes has resigned as COO and CFO of the luxury retailer, effective immediately. No reason was given for his departure. But in an SEC filing, the company said Grimes's resignation "was not the result of any disagreement regarding any matter" related to its "operations, policies or practices."   Grimes joined Neiman Marcus in June 2015, after a seven-year stint at Wolverine World Wide where he was CFO. 

Alex and Ani has promoted Cindy DiPietrantonio to president of the company.           DiPietrantonio joined the jewelry and lifestyle brand in July 2016 as interim COO, and her transition to president has happened in “a very natural, organic way,” the company said.