Human Resources

Dublin, Calif. -- Epicor Software Corporation, a global leader in business software solutions, announced that Joseph (Joe) L. Cowan has been appointed president and CEO.  Cowan, who brings extensive executive management experience in software and technology to Epicor, succeeds Pervez Qureshi, who is stepping down to pursue new opportunities. Qureshi will also be stepping down from his position as a director on the Epicor board of directors.

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples announced the appointment of John Buchta to VP, treasurer and tax. Buchta adds the role of treasurer to his current responsibilities as VP, tax, and will continue to report to Christine Komola, executive VP and CFO.  

Buchta joined Staples in 2011 as VP, tax. Prior to Staples, he was a partner at Ernst & Young.

Buchta succeeds Lisa Scopa, who has been appointed VP, high growth markets.

Plano, Texas – J.C. Penney Company, Inc. has reportedly named Jan Hodges, a senior marketing executive who has been with the retailer for 25 years, to the position of senior VP and general manager of home goods. According to Reuters, Penney CEO Myron Ullman sent out an employee memo on Oct. 3 informing workers that Hodges would assume the new position on Nov. 1.

Bohemia, N.Y. -- FrontStreet Facility Solutions announced that Brian French will join the executive leadership team as VP of operations. French is the former president of Cairn Development.
 

Northbrook, Ill. — Pine Tree Commercial Realty has announced the appointment of Julie Zamudio as VP of design and construction. Zamudio most recently served as lead manager of the multi-site group banking and retail sectors in the Chicago office of Lend Lease Construction Inc.

Denton, Texas — Cencor Realty Services has named Carrie Carter director of marketing for Golden Triangle Mall in Denton, Texas. Carter’s new responsibilities include creating and executing the mall’s marketing, public relations, advertising and social media programs. She will also support the mall’s current renovation through the development of marketing, collateral and presentation materials.

Washington, D.C. – The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects holiday sales to increase 3.9% to $602.1 billion, up slightly from last year’s 3.5% increase. The forecast is higher than the 10-year average holiday sales growth of 3.3%.

The group noted, however, that its forecast hinges “on Congress and the Administration's actions" over the next 45 days as the government shutdown entered a third day

San Bernardino, Calif. -- Stater Bros. Markets announced that its VP of real estate, Mike Slaton, died suddenly on Sept. 28.

As a tribute to Slaton, the new 44,000 sq. ft. Stater Bros. supermarket, which opened last week in Redlands, Calif., will be dedicated in his honor.