Human Resources

Ten years ago, demographic experts predicted a looming talent shortage: When the massive baby boom generation retired, the small Generation X would not have enough experienced leaders and managers to fill the positions that boomers would vacate.

New Albany, Ohio -- Abercrombie & Fitch Co. will nominate for election to its board of directors four new independent director candidates: Bonnie R. Brooks, Sarah M. Gallagher, Diane L. Neal and Stephanie M. Shern. The board retained a third-party search firm to assist in the search process for new independent directors with relevant experience.

New York -- A bid to raise the federal minimum wage was rejected by Republicans in the Senate, who blocked legislation Wednesday to boost the rate to $10.10 an hour. Senators predominantly voted across party lines, which places Democratic senators in favor and Republican senators opposed.

The defeat was expected, and it is expected to serve as a rallying cry for Democrats preparing their next campaign.

An effort to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 failed on Wednesday, as the issue was not able to clear a procedural vote in the Senate. Senators predominantly voted across party lines, which places Democratic senators in favor and Republican senators opposed.

According to published reports, while the defeat was expected it is serving as a rallying cry for Democrats preparing their next campaign.

New law has implications for workers’ compensation

Barely a week after leaving RadioShack, Troy Risch has landed on his feet at rival electronics retailer H.H. Gregg where he will serve as chief operating officer.

Risch will assume his new COO duties at H.H. Gregg May 5. He most recently served as EVP of store operations at RadioShack for 16 months, but left the company April 22. Assuming a leadership role at H.H. Gregg might seem like a potential violation of a non-compete agreement, closer inspection shows that H.H. Gregg and RadioShack don’t have that much in common from a product assortment standpoint.

Phoenix -- PetSmart has named Michael Goodwin to the position of senior VP and CIO, effective June 2.

Goodwin brings more than 20 years of information technology experience to PetSmart, most recently serving as senior VP and CIO of technology and business enablement at Hallmark, a $4 billion global enterprise with more than 2,600 stores and an extensive online presence.

Longtime Hallmark executive Michael Goodwin was named chief information officer at the nation’s largest pet specialty retailer.

Goodwin will become SVP and CIO at PetSmart effective June 2, after previously serving as SVP and CIO of technology and business enablement at Hallmark, a $4 billion company with more than 2,600 stores and an extensive online presence. PetSmart operates 1,333 stores.