Human Resources

McLean, Va. -- The Rappaport Cos. announced it has named Charlotte B. Strain as senior VP asset management. Strain will work directly with current clients and third-party accounts and oversee property management, asset management and lease administration functions. She will be responsible for a portfolio of 9 million sq. ft. of retail space and some 1,500 leases.

Strain was previously with Jones Lang LaSalle and AvalonBay Communities.

ATLANTA — Former Unilever executive Michael Polk has been appointed president and CEO of Newell Rubbermaid, effective July 18. He succeeds Mark Ketchum, who is retiring but will remain a director until May 2012.

Ketchum announced in January his intention to retire after being recruited from the board five years ago to lead Newell Rubbermaid through its transformation into a marketing-driven company.

TORONTO — Sears Canada has announced the appointment of Calvin McDonald as its president and CEO, effective immediately. McDonald most recently served as EVP, conventional division of Loblaw Companies Limited. He will succeed Dene Rogers, who has served as president and CEO of Sears Canada since 2006.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Chico's has named Pamela Knous EVP, CFO and chief accounting officer. Knous assumes the principal finance, accounting, investor relations, and strategic planning responsibilities currently under the direction of Kent Kleeberger, who was appointed to the position of EVP, COO in March. Knous is expected to join the company on June 23 and will report directly to Chico's president and CEO, David Dyer.

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS announced Thursday that it has named Pamela K. Knous as executive VP, CFO and chief accounting officer, effective immediately.

Knous, 57, was previously executive VP and CFO of SuperValu.
 

New York City -- Tiffany & Co. reported Thursday that it has shuffled responsibilities among two of its executive officers, effective immediately.

Patrick F. McGuiness, 45, has been appointed senior VP and CFO. He joined Tiffany in 1990 and has held a variety of management positions within the finance and merchandising divisions. He was promoted to senior VP finance in 2007, and the new appointment adds responsibility for the retailer’s investor relations program.

WASHINGTON — Walmart announced that, through its charitable arm the Walmart Foundation, it has launched a $25 million giving campaign aimed at filling the gaps created when schools close for the summer. Funding to more than 350 local nonprofit organizations will help expand nutrition, learning and employment services for elementary, middle and high school students throughout the 2011 summer months, the company reported.

Walmart said it would address the achievement gap between higher- and lower-income youth by focusing on three key areas:

New York City -- A report released Thursday by The Conference Board said that the rate of dismissal of CEOs in the S&P 500 due to disciplinary actions has increased in recent years, while 25% of boards of directors facing a chief executive succession have opted for an outside hire.

According to the 2011 CEO Succession Report, 51 CEOs in the S&P 500 left their post in 2010, making the rate of CEO succession approximately 10%, consistent with the average number of annual succession announcements from 2000 through 2009.