JCP names new CIO with Target background

J.C. Penney’s efforts to become a world class omnichannel retailer are under the leadership of a new chief information officer with a unique background.

J. C. Penney appointed Therace Risch as executive vice president and chief information officer, effective immediately. Risch joins the retailer from COUNTRY Financial, and succeeds Scott Laverty.

"Therace is an outstanding IT professional with an extensive background of merging innovative retail technologies and powerful applications to drive both brick-and-mortar and online growth," said Marvin R. Ellison, CEO of J.C. Penney. "We are pleased to blend her 20 years of experience with the recently announced leaders of e-commerce and Supply Chain to offer a seamless omnichannel shopping experience across multiple customer touch points."

In her previous role as EVP and CIO at COUNTRY Financial, Risch was responsible for all aspects of consumer technologies to support the insurance and investment needs of over one million households and businesses. She was also responsible for all technology strategies and planning, as well as data security. Prior to COUNTRY Financial, Risch spent 10 years at Target Corporation in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility, including vice president of technology delivery services.

In a statement, J.C. Penney said Risch's appointment further reinforces the company's commitment to becoming a world-class omnichannel retailer, adding to a skilled team of industry leaders who recently joined the company including Michael Amend, executive vice president of e-commerce and omnichannel, and Mike Robbins, senior vice president of supply chain.