Chico's names new COO

FORT MEYERS, Fla. — Chico's FAS announced Tuesday that it has appointed Kent Kleeberger to the position of EVP and COO.

Kleeberger will replace Jeffrey Jones, who is retiring from the company, effective March 7. Jones will serve as part-time consultant to the company during a transition period.

Kleeberger, 58, has served as EVP finance and CFO of Chico's FAS since joining the company in November 2007. Previously, he was SVP and CFO for Dollar Tree Stores.

Chico's said it has retained an executive recruitment firm to conduct a nationwide search for a CFO, a search that will include internal candidates. Kleeberger will remain the company's principal financial and accounting officer until a replacement is named.