Education

Alan Hoffman, former deputy chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden, is the new SVP of global public policy and government affairs at PepsiCo.

Naperville, Ill. -- OfficeMax today announced it is extending support to the thousands of people still without electricity by providing free in-store charging stations, fax, scan and email services to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy stay connected and get back to business. The retailer also partnered with nonprofit AdoptAClassroom.org to launch the Hurricane Relief for Teachers (HuRT) program to help restore damaged classrooms along the east coast.

Brand marketing veterans Chris Burggraeve and Ted McConnell are the newest members of the board of industry advisors at Syncapse, a leading social performance management company.

Burggraeve is the former chief marketing officer of Anheuser-Busch InBev and founder of Vicomte LLC. McConnell is a former director of marketing innovation at Procter & Gambler and EVP of digital at the Advertising Research Foundation.

Seattle -- REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) will open a store in Silverdale, Wash., in the fall of 2013.

The 24,500 sq.-ft. store will include a seasonal rental department that will allow customers to test new outdoor activities, and a bike shop that will provide expert assembly and repair services. The store's community space will host outdoor-related classes, presentations and events.

Target added to its roster of action sports athletes recently with the signing of Canadian freeskier Rosalind Groenewoud.

According to Target, she is affectionately recognized by many simply as Roz G and is known for her amplitude and large variety of tricks. Widely considered to be one of the most influential halfpipe skiers in the world she joins eight other elite action sports athletes representing Target.

Detroit -- According to Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan on Monday, the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 82.6 in October, the highest level since September 2007.

Economists polled by Bloomberg projected 83 for the measure after a preliminary October reading of 83.1.

The Michigan index of consumer expectations six months from now, which more closely projects the direction of consumer spending, rose to 79 from 73.5 in September. The gauge of current conditions climbed to 88.1 from 85.7 a month ago.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Nearly one year after launching an initiative to help create more job opportunities for people with disabilities in Connecticut, 62 participants have completed training under the Walgreens Retail Employees with Disabilities Initiative (REDI) program.

Do you know a retailer under the age of 40 who is making an impact in his or her company? Chain Store Age is accepting nominations for its Rising Stars: 20 under 40 awards, which will recognize retailers who are making their marks in their companies and in the retail industry.