C-SUITE

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. is losing a 46-year company veteran.   The retailer announced the retirement of Richard A. Johnson as executive VP. As part of the transition following Johnson’s retirement, Michael P. Marrone is being promoted to senior VP of store operations.      Marrone began his career with Big 5 in 1973 as a store sales associate.  He held numerous leadership roles of increasing responsibility at the company, and was named VP of store operations in 2002.

There is a leadership change underway at Stein Mart.   Dawn Robertson resigned from her position of CEO and company direc-tor. D. Hunt Hawkins, the chain’s president and COO, has been named interim CEO.  

American Eagle continues to strengthen its management team to further drive its growth.   Bob Madore has been appointed executive VP and CFO, starting Oct. 28. In his new role, Madore will oversee all aspects of finance, merchandise planning and allocation, and investor relations. He will report to American Eagle’s CEO Jay Schottenstein.  

Who says you can’t go home again?   Certainly not Gap Inc., which appointed Jamie Gersch as the senior VP, chief marketing officer of its Old Navy banner, reported adage.com. She replaces Ivan Wicksteed, who left the company in March. She will come aboard at the end of October.  

Petco is losing its longtime chairman and CEO.   Jim Myers, a 26-year company veteran and CEO since 2004, is retiring. Petco pesident and chief merchant Brad Weston, who joined the company in 2011, will succeed Myers as CEO, effective February 1, 2017.   Prior to joining Petco, Weston held senior leadership roles at Dick's Sporting Goods, May Merchandising Company and Robinsons-May.  

Publix Super Markets has promoted Bob McGarrity, director of construction, to VP of facilities.    McGarriity replaces 42-year company veteran Dave Duncan, who has announced his decision to retire effective Dec. 31, 2016.    In other appointments, VP of real estate Jeff Chamberlain will be promoted to senior VP, overseeing real estate and facilities, effective Jan. 1, 2017.  

Charles R. (Cork) Walgreen III, former president, CEO, chairman of the board, and chairman emeritus of the iconic U.S.-based drug store chain Walgreens, died at on Monday, Sept. 26, at his home in Lake Forest, Ill. He was 80.

Walgreen was the grandson of Charles R. Walgreen Sr., founder of the 115-year-old pharmacy retailer that now is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance.

Staples has chosen a company veteran as its new CEO.   The retailer on Monday named Shira Goodman as its president and CEO and as a member of its board of directors, effective immediately.  Goodman, who has been been with Staples 24 years, has been serving as interim CEO since May when she took over for Ron Sargent, who resigned in the wake of the company’s failed attempt to acquire rival Office Deport.