C-SUITE

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has appointed a permanent chief merchandising officer.    Sharyn Hejcl has been promoted to executive VP, chief merchandising officer. For the past year, Hejcl served as the interim head of merchandising in conjunction with her role as senior VP, inventory management and supply chain. She will continue to report to the chain’s president and CEO Jill Soltau.  

Chico's FAS announced that Diane Ellis has been appointed president of its Chico’s brand, effective November 1, 2016.      Ellis joins Chico's from The Limited, where she has served as CEO and president since 2013.       Prior to The Limited, Ellis spent six years as president and COO of Brooks Brothers, where she led the stores, ecommerce, IT, HR, sourcing, product development, finance, supply chain and planning functions in support of the global operations of the brand.

Advance Auto Parts has appointed Thomas (Tom) Okray as executive VP, CFO, effective Oct. 31, 2016.    In a previously announced succession plan, Okray will succeed Mike Norona, who will remain with Advance Auto in an advisory role until the end of the year.   

There is a new finance chief at Claire’s Stores.    The retailer has appointed Scott Huckins as its executive VP and CFO, effective Oct. 5. He joins Claire's from Sears Holdings where he served as VP, treasurer and president for Sears Re, (a wholly owned captive reinsurance company) for the last four years. In that role, he had responsibility for global treasury, capital markets, credit, risk management and reinsurance for the company.    

Ahold Delhaize on Wednesday announced that management board member James McCann had resigned to move into non-executive and advisory roles. The company has named Kevin Holt, Delhaize America CEO and Ahold Delhaize management board member, as his successor.   

Yesway has named Douglas New as its chief technology officer.   New will be responsible for mapping and implementing the convenience store chain’s technology strategy, including defining the execution plan for Yesway's e-commerce platform. He will also assist in helping the company achieve its goal acquiring 500 stores over the next several years, according to a company statement. He will report to Mark Daniels, the convenience store chain's chief strategy officer.  

VF. Corp., whose brands include The North Face, Timberland and Nautica, will have a new chief executive come January.   The company announced that president and COO Steven E. Rendle will become CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2017. Rendle, 57, will succeed Eric C. Wiseman, who will continue to serve as executive chairman and work with Rendle to ensure a successful transition.    Rendle has more than 30 years of experience in the specialty outdoor and action sports industry, 16 of which have been with VF.

Ascena Retail Group, whose brands include Ann Taylor, Justice, and Lane Bryant, announced organizational changes expected to provide cost-savings of $100 million to $150 million by fiscal 2019.   The changes will see a number of executives leave the company, although Ascena did not disclose who would be leave. Also, Brian Lynch, CEO and president of Justice, has been appointed company COO.