Big Lots announces promotions

COLUMBUS, Ohio Big Lots has announced promotions and certain organizational changes.

The following promotions are effective immediately:

Lisa Bachmann has been promoted to EVP supply chain management and CIO, with additional responsibility for distribution and transportation services. Bachmann joined Big Lots in March 2002 as SVP merchandise planning/allocation, and in July 2005, she assumed the additional role of CIO.

Joe Cooper has been promoted to EVP, CFO, with additional responsibility for loss prevention and risk management. Cooper joined Big Lots in May 2000 as VP strategic planning and investor relations, and in July 2000, he assumed the additional responsibility of treasury. Cooper was promoted to SVP, CFO in January 2005.

Charles Haubiel II has been promoted to EVP legal and real estate, with additional responsibility for the company's employment litigation and general liability administration functions currently associated with risk management. He will continue to serve as the company's general counsel, corporate secretary, and also have primary responsibility for the company's real estate operations. Haubiel joined Big Lots in 1997 and was promoted to general counsel and corporate secretary in 2000. He became SVP, general counsel and corporate secretary in November 2004, and assumed the responsibility for real estate in January 2008.

Steven Smart has been promoted to SVP, general merchandise manager. In addition to his current responsibility for consumables, he will assume additional responsibility for hardlines and play and wear. Smart joined Big Lots in May 2003 as VP, merchandise manager of consumables.

Robert Segal, SVP, general merchandise manager, who is currently responsible for the home and furniture categories, will assume additional responsibility for the seasonal category.

The company also announced today the retirement of Brad Waite, EVP, human resources, loss prevention, and risk management, after 22 years with Big Lots.

Steve Fishman, Chairman, CEO and President stated, "With growth comes opportunity, and today we are rewarding excellent performance by announcing four executive-level promotions. Lisa Bachmann, Joe Cooper, Chuck Haubiel, and Steven Smart have each played vital roles in the recent success of our strategy. With these management changes, I believe we have taken a meaningful step forward in establishing an organizational structure for the future."