Human Resources

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- The South Florida Business Journal  reported Tuesday that Office Depot has dismissed David Grove, SVP contract sales for the company. 

According to the report, Grove's termination was unrelated to company operations, citing an Office Depot statement. Grove joined the company just 14 months ago.

Before joining Office Depot, Grove served in various roles in the office products field including president business interiors at Corporate Express and director of business development at United Stationers.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Robert Eckert, chairman and CEO of Mattel, will be presented the community leader award at the Exceptional Children’s Foundation's 65th Anniversary Gala. The recognition acknowledges Eckert’s leadership and ongoing commitment to shaping the development of generations of children, inspiring creativity and innovation and for demonstrating what's possible through a world of play, Mattel reported.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores on Wednesday is celebrating  the grand opening of nine new stores across seven states: Illinois, New York, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.  The chain plans to open a total of approximately 40 stores in 2011.

In addition,  Kohl’s continues to invest in its existing store base, remodeling approximately 100 stores in 2011, an 18% increase from 2010.

Nashville, Tenn. -- The Retail Orphan Initiative (RetailROI) announced that it has created a computer recycling program in partnership with the GEAR Foundation. The program, which recycles retailers’ computers that are less than four years old and have expired warranties, will immediately create jobs for physically and mentally challenged young adults as the computers are erased, refurbished, and resold.

ORRVILLE, Ohio  -- The J. M. Smucker Company announced several executive appointments. Effective Aug. 16, Richard K. Smucker will become the sole CEO of the company.  Timothy P. Smucker will continue to serve the company as chairman of the board.

The board of directors also approved the following additional executive appointments and realignment of responsibilities effective May 1:

Tempe, Ariz. -- Incentives Advisors, which specializes in turning human resources departments into profit centers by identifying, administering and securing hiring-related government incentives, added Chipotle Mexican Grill to its customer roster. The company will deploy Incentives+ tax credit screening solution to make it easy to screen job candidates for over 100 federal, state, and local hiring credits.

ABC Supply Co. has announced the promotion of Tom Whitcomb to Customer Financial Services director for its Midwest region, based in Fitchburg, Wis.

In his new role, Whitcomb will direct all credit and collection activities for the region, which includes branches in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

New York City -- The Conference Board’s Employment Trends Index, released Monday, increased in February for the fifth consecutive month.

According to the Conference Board, the index now stands at 101.7, up from January’s revised figure of 100.1. The index is up over 8% from a year ago.