Human Resources

Deerfield, Ill. -- Nearly one year after launching an initiative to help create more job opportunities for people with disabilities in Connecticut, 62 participants have completed training under the Walgreens Retail Employees with Disabilities Initiative (REDI) program.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy on Wednesday announced major changes to its leadership organization. The company is removing the senior-most layer of the U.S. operation is being removed; resulting in what it called “a leaner structure intended to improve the company’s agility.”

New York -- Wal-Mart Stores said on Wednesday that various staff groups involved in compliance and legal issues will soon all report to its general counsel, Reuters reported. The move comes as the retailer works on coordinating efforts after an alleged foreign bribery scandal.

In a memo sent by CEO Mike Duke, the retailer said that starting on Dec. 1, its compliance, ethics, investigations and legal units will become one organization under executive VP, general counsel and corporate secretary Jeff Gearhart.

Do you know a retailer under the age of 40 who is making an impact in his or her company? Chain Store Age is accepting nominations for its Rising Stars: 20 under 40 awards, which will recognize retailers who are making their marks in their companies and in the retail industry.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announced that Sally Cooney has joined the company as regional director of leasing, charged with overseeing the Cincinnati regional leasing team’s efforts and merchandising strategy.   

Cooney most recently served as regional VP for General Growth Properties in its Atlanta regional office.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- Taubman Centers announced it has hired Colleen O’Neill as the general manager of Taubman Prestige Outlets Chesterfield, effective Nov. 5. She will be responsible for overseeing center operations as well as retailer and community relations, marketing and sponsorship.

O’Neill was the former marketing director of Saks Fifth Avenue at Plaza Frontenac in St. Louis. The announcement of her hiring follows Taubman’s decision to move up the opening date of the high-end outlet shopping center to August 2, 2013.

Milwaukee -- Mid-America Real Estate-Wisconsin announced the promotion of VPs Tony Colvin and Adam Dreier to principals.

Colvin joined Mid-America Real Estate as a broker associate in January 2001 and, too date, has brokered over 1.2 million sq. ft. of retail space for a total transaction value of over $186 million.  Dreier has been with Mid-America Real Estate since February 2002 as a broker associate.  To date, he has brokered over 1 million sq. ft. of retail space, for a total transaction value of over $212 million.

Dallas -- Dave & Buster's Inc. said Monday it has named Kevin Bachus as its senior VP entertainment and game strategy, effective immediately.

Bachus is co-creator of the Xbox videogame console system. He joins Dave & Buster's from social network Bebo, where he was chief product officer.
 
In the newly created Dave & Buster’s role, Bachus will be responsible for driving the evolution from on-premise-based entertainment to multi-platform gaming, including mobile and online.