Borders names new chief merchant, regional VPs

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Borders Group has announced the appointment of Michele Delahunty-Cloutier as the company's new EVP and chief merchandising officer. As CMO, Delahunty-Cloutier will oversee merchandising, marketing and supply chain, playing an integral role in helping Borders redefine its brand and drive a turnaround of the company. She will report to Borders CEO Mike Edwards.

"Michele has an exceptional track record of building dominant global brands," said Edwards. "She's a roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-to-work type of executive who is adept at effectively working with cross functional business teams to unite a company under one brand vision. I look forward to working closely with Michele to achieve our company's strategic goals and ultimately reposition the company for success."

Most recently Delahunty-Cloutier, served as brand president for Chico's FAS where she was responsible for creating a cohesive brand while supervising merchandising, sales, marketing and store operations teams. Before being promoted to brand president for Chico's, she served as the organization's EVP, chief merchandising officer and EVP, general merchandising manager from 2006 through 2007.

Borders has also named two new regional vice presidents to lead its store teams. Eric Kovats is regional VP for the Southeast region and Beatrice Vicente is regional VP for the West Coast region.

Kovats most recently served as regional VP stores for Heartland Automotive Services, the largest franchisee of Jiffy Lube Stores in the country. Vicente most recently served as regional VP stores, Pacific Region for Toys "R" Us, where she was responsible for over 150 stores in 10 states that generated $1.3 billion in sales.