Human Resources

Ontario, Calif. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group announced that Masa Liles has joined The Mills, a Simon Co., as area director of marketing for Ontario Mills, California’s largest outlet and value retail shopping destination, and The Block at Orange, an open-air shopping, dining and entertainment destination in southern California.

MINNEAPOLIS  —Target announced that its chief marketing officer, Michael Francis, will serve as the executive committee sponsor of Target’s entrance into the Canadian market.  In this role, Francis will oversee the extension of Target’s brand as part of the corporation’s first-ever expansion of its stores beyond the United States, the company reported. 

San Jose, Calif. -- SRS Real Estate Partners said it has opened the doors on its newest office in San Jose, Calif. The office, which specializes in project leasing and investment sales, includes the addition of five new senior VP’s -- Randol Y. Mackley, Bruce H. Frazer, Bob Quigley, Mark Thomas and Stephen Gazzera -- along with a new associate Peggy Owen.

They will be joined by Sarah Edwards, a senior associate from the company’s San Francisco office.   

Seattle -- Callison announced today that John Jastrem has been appointed as chairman and CEO of Callison. He replaces James P. Rothwell, who is stepping down as CEO and returning to his previous role as principal in the firm running its commercial design practice. Callison’s chairman Robert J. Tindall, is leaving the firm.

Jastrem has served on Callison’s Holdings board (Callison Architecture Holding, LLC and Subsidiaries) since 2006 and as its executive chairman since August 2010.

MINNEAPOLIS - Just days after announcing 2011 U.S. expansion plans, Target announced an acquisition in Canada that will enable it to open between 100 and 150 stores during the next four years. The company announced that it has agreed to pay C$1.825 billion to purchase from Zellers Inc., a subsidiary of the Hudson's Bay Company, the leasehold interests in up to 220 sites currently operated by Zellers Inc. This transaction will allow Target to open its first Target stores in Canada beginning in 2013. 

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- Specialty apparel retailer Wet Seal announced that it has entered into an employment contract with Susan McGalla to serve as its new CEO through Aug. 8, 2014. McGalla will assume her position as CEO on Jan. 18. Ed Thomas will remain as interim CEO until Jan. 18, and thereafter will remain employed by the company until Feb. 8, to assist with transition.

Dallas -- Zale Corp.’s same-store sales rose 8.5% during the November-December selling period. This figure is a key indicator of a retailer's health because it gauges results at existing stores instead of newly opened ones.

Zale is refocusing its merchandise on diamonds and stepping up training of its workers, said CEO Theo Killion in a Bloomberg report. The company increased the number of salespeople certified by the Diamond Council of America to 2,000, from 800 last year, and plans to add more, he said.

NEW YORK -Tiffany & Co. announced that James Quinn will retire in early 2012. Quinn joined Tiffany in 1986 and has served as president since 2003, responsible for the company’s sales outside the Americas.