Human Resources

Seattle -- Outdoor gear and apparel retailer REI said Monday it has promoted Brian Unmacht to COO, expanding his role to oversee retail, e-commerce, merchandising, private brands, information technology and supply chain.

Unmacht started at REI as a store supervisor in 1986 and has risen through the ranks, most recently serving as executive VP over sales, service, store development and logistics.

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.
 

Richmond, Va. -- Poll results released Monday by hourly employment network Snagajob found that most hourly employers are not waiting until after Election Day to make business decisions. The survey found that more than half of hourly employers (55%) cited potential healthcare requirements as the key presidential election issue most likely to affect their business. Possible economic stimulus plans (25%) and tax code changes (14%) were among other concerns weighing on hourly employers.

New York -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is being hit by yet another lawsuit, as a proposed class action was filed Monday alleging that the world’s largest retailer and its staffing agencies broke federal minimum wage and overtime laws. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court of Illinois' Eastern Division claims that Wal-Mart and its staffing firms Labor Ready and QPS required temp workers in the Chicago area to arrive early for work, stay late, and work through lunches and breaks without pay.

New York -- Lowe's Cos. is seeking to hire two senior executives that could play a role in its CEO succession plan, according to the Associated Press.

The chain is looking for a chief merchandising officer and a head of supply chain. The positions were left vacant in May due to a reorganization.

Lowe’s is looking both internally and externally, the report said.

Walmart this week named Daniel Trujillo to the newly created position of SVP and chief compliance officer for its international division, according to a Wall Street Journal report based on an internal company memo.

The appointment comes amid a lengthy, ongoing and costly federal investigation into allegations of bribery at Walmart’s Mexican susbsidiary. Trujillo, 42, is currently deputy general counsel and director of compliance at the oil field services company Schlumberger.

By John H. Douglas, [email protected]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Books-A-Million has named Mary Jane Karwoski as VP human resources. Karwoski will be responsible for overseeing employee relations, compensation, benefits, training and development and recruiting for Books-A-Million.

“I am excited to welcome Mary Jane to the BAM team. Her impressive experience has well prepared her for this leadership role, and I know she will keep the best interest of our thousands of dedicated associates as her top priority,” said Terrance Finley, CEO and president of Books-A-Million Inc.