Human Resources

Houston -- Wulfe & Co. announced that Bob Sellingsloh has been named president of the company.

Taryn Sims has been named president of Wulfe Management Services, a commercial real estate property management firm affiliated with Wulfe & Co.

Ed Wulfe, founder, announced the firm’s new top management structure which will be effective January 1, 2011. Wulfe will assume the position of chairman and CEO of the companies, maintaining his full time day-to-day activities with both organizations.

Chelmsford, Mass. -- A report released by workforce management solution-provider Kronos found that holiday hiring levels are lagging behind 2009 numbers.

According to the Kronos Retail Labor Index, which analyzes demand and supply sides of the labor market within the U.S. retail sector, the index decreased in October to 3%, down 16% from the September 2010 level of 3.6%. (A level of 3% means that for every 100 applications received, three hirings occurred).

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. announced Thursday that it has launched a Growth Brands Division, created to pursue what the retailer sees as high-potential opportunities in the retail space, including both digital initiatives and retail store opportunities.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Wednesday by the Labor Department said that applications for jobless benefits declined by 24,000 to 435,000 in the week ended Nov. 6, the lowest level in four months.

The total number of people collecting unemployment insurance fell to the lowest level since November 2008, and those receiving extended payments also declined.

The four-week moving average, a less volatile measure than the weekly figures, dropped to 446,500 last week, the lowest since September 13, 2008, from 456,500, the report showed.