Human Resources

Retail industry veteran Marty Hanaka has joined Highland Consumer Partners as one of the firm’s operating partners.

Hanaka has held senior leadership positions with numerous retailers throughout his lengthy career. Most recently, he served as interim CECO of Guitar Center and from 2007 to 2012 he held the positions of chairman and CEO at Golfsmith. From 1998 to 2004 he served as CEO and chairman of The Sports Authority. Prior to that he spent three years as COO of Staples and also held senior leadership roles during a 20 year career at Sears.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has appointed Sue Pifer as VP of compliance and Tiffin Shewmake as the director of the Center for Retail Compliance (CRC).

“The experience and skills that Sue and Tiffin possess make them uniquely suited for delivering exceptional value to our member companies on a broad range of compliance issues. We are excited to have them join the RILA team,” said RILA president Sandy Kennedy.

Boston -- Gordon Brothers Group, a global advisory, restructuring and investment firm specializing in the retail, consumer products, industrial and real estate sectors, appointed Kenneth S. Frieze as CEO, effective Oct. 1.

Frieze has over 20 years of leadership experience in restructuring, consulting, brand redevelopment, appraisal and asset disposition. He has held various roles at the firm since 2003, serving most recently as president.  

PepsiCo’s top marketer and a former top Macy’s executive are the newest members of off-price retailer Burlington Stores board of directors.

The operator of more than 500 stores expanded its board to eight members with the addition of Frank Cooper III, chief marketing officer, global consumer engagement for PepsiCo’s global beverages group, and William “Mac” McNamara, former chairman and CEO of Macy’s Midwest division.

The Network of Executive Women (NEW) has confirmed retail executives from Walgreens, Home Depot, Family Dollar, Publix and Walmart as featured participants at the organization’s Leadership Summit this fall.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores anticipates hiring more than 67,000 associates nationwide this holiday season to support in-store and online holiday business.

Kohl’s plans on hiring an average of 50 associates per store at its 1,163 stores in 49 states. In addition, the company anticipates hiring approximately 9,300 seasonal positions at distribution centers across the country and approximately 670 seasonal credit operations positions.


 

The Men's Wearhouse board of directors has promoted Mary Beth Blake to the position of president and chief merchandising officer. She was previously EVP and chief merchandising officer, and will continue reporting to CEO Doug Ewert.

"Mary Beth has been an integral part of our management team since 2008 and has spent her entire career developing creative initiatives to drive sales, expand gross margins and build successful teams," said Ewert.

Cambridge, Mass. -- Highland Consumer Partners, a growth-stage venture capital firm focused on the consumer sector, announced that retail executive Marty Hanaka joined the firm in August of this year as an operating partner.

Hanaka most recently was the interim CEO of Guitar Center, from January 2013 to April 2013.  

Previously, he served as the chairman of Golfsmith International Holdings, from April 2007 to November 2012, and was CEO from June 2008 to November 2012.