Chico’s names retail veteran as new corporate counsel

Chico's FAS Inc. has appointed Susan Lanigan as executive VP and general counsel.



Lanigan has 25 years of professional experience and more than 15 years of business experience in the retail industry, including serving as executive VP, general counsel of Dollar General Corp.



"Susan brings a remarkable record helping prominent national retailers successfully navigate complex legal, compliance and regulatory issues,” said Shelley Broader, president and CEO of Chico's FAS. “Throughout her career, she has also been a strong partner to boards and management, advising on strategic planning, business analysis and governance matters.”



Lanigan most recently served as chair of the Tennessee Education Lottery Commission. Previously, she served as executive VP and general counsel of Dollar General Corp. from 2002 to 2013. Prior to Dollar General, Lanigan’s retail industry experience included serving as general counsel for Zale Corp.



In connection with her appointment, Lanigan participated in recent discussions regarding the company's corporate governance. Those discussions resulted in the following governance enhancements announced by Chico’s in conjunction with the announcement of Lanigan’s hire:



· Annual election of directors: In the proxy materials for the 2016 annual meeting, the Chico's board of directors intends to include a recommendation for a company-sponsored proposal to declassify the board by class over a three-year period, such that the entire Board would stand for election at the 2019 annual meeting.

· Codifying a policy regarding over-boarding: As part of its governance policies and processes, Chico's has adopted a formal policy limiting directors to service on four public company boards of directors, in addition to the Chico's board.