Children's Place names new executives

SECAUCUS, N.J. The Children's Place Retail Stores has announced the appointment of Natalie Levy as SVP merchandising; Barrie Scardina as SVP planning and allocation; Dina Sweeney as SVP outlets; and Larry McClure as SVP human resources. The four executives will report directly to Jane Elfers, president and CEO.

Levy will join the company on May 3. Most recently, she held the position of SVP general merchandise manager for Ann Taylor. Prior to that, she spent seven years with Lord & Taylor in positions of increasing responsibility culminating in her appointment as SVP general merchandise manager for proprietary brands where she had overall responsibility for merchandising, design and sourcing for the women's sportswear, accessories, men's and children's departments. Earlier in her career, she held merchandising positions with Caldor, Mervyn's and Macy's.

Scardina will join the company on May 10. She previously held the position of VP retail operations at Liz Claiborne. In that role, she had responsibility for planning and allocation, supply chain, retail marketing and store operations for partnered brands. Prior to Liz Claiborne, she held the position of VP planning, distribution and business development at Polo Ralph Lauren. Earlier in her career she held positions with Gucci and Footstar.

Sweeney, previously SVP merchandising and a 26-year veteran of The Children's Place, will take on the newly created position of SVP outlets. She will be responsible for developing and executing a new merchandising strategy to drive sales and profits for the company's 129 outlet stores. Sweeney joined The Children's Place in 1984 and, after holding positions of increasing responsibility in merchandising, she led the company's successful expansion into Canada in 2003. She also took over responsibility for the company's rapidly-growing e-commerce business in 2006.

McClure joined the company on March 8. He previously served as SVP human resources at Liz Claiborne where he helped establish a global human resources presence within a diverse set of brands. Prior to that, he held senior human resources leadership roles with The Dexter Corp., Aetna and United Technologies.