New CEOs to Watch
The past year brought with it a changing of the guard, as many companies named new leaders to steer their ships in a transformed marketplace. Here are six newly arrived — or soon to arrive — CEOs to keep an eye on in 2017:
Jeff Gennette, Macy’s: A 33-year company veteran who came up through the ranks, Gennette takes the reins from longtime CEO Terry Lundgren in the first quarter of this year.
Gennette, chief merchandising officer of Macy’s before being named president in 2014, is Lundgren’s handpicked successor. He takes over at a critical time for the retailer as it works to combat sluggish store sales, optimize its store portfolio and make itself more relevant in a digital age. (Lundgren will continue as executive chairman and work alongside Gennette.)
Shira Goodman, Staples: This 24-year company veteran took the reins permanently in September, after being named interim CEO in May in the wake of the departure of longtime leader Ron Sargent.
Goodman brings a wealth of experience to her role, having served in a variety of key leadership positions at the office products giant. She leads a company that continues to regroup after its attempt to acquire Office Depot was squashed due to antitrust concerns in May of 2016.
Kevin Johnson, Starbucks: Starbucks COO Kevin Johnson steps into the shoes of a legend on April 3, when he succeeds Howard Schultz as CEO of the global coffee empire. The consensus is that Johnson is the right person for the job. His strong technology background — 16 years at Microsoft and five as CEO of Juniper Networks — dovetails with Starbucks’ business becoming increasingly digitally oriented. (Schultz will remain executive chairman and focus on the chain’s new, higher-end Reserve brand and social initiatives.)
Brad Weston, Petco: There will be a new top dog at Petco on Feb. 1, when 26-year company veteran Jim Myers passes the baton to president and chief merchant Brad Weston.
Weston joined Petco in 2011 from Dick’s Sporting Goods, where he was senior VP and chief merchandising officer. At Petco, he leads the marketing and e-commerce teams, and drives the overall business strategy, operations and merchandising activities.
His diversified background is expected to be a plus for Petco, which is adding stores — it opened 64 in 2016 — and growing its online business at a fast clip.
Rick Keyes, Meijer: For the first time in Meijer’s 82-year history, it has a CEO whose last name is not Meijer. The family-owned retailer broke with tradition and named company president Rick Keyes as CEO, succeeding Hank Meijer, who stepped down as chief executive but will act as executive chairman of the board.
Keyes, who has been with the chain for 27 years, oversees a 230-store retail company that is expanding both online and in brick-and-mortar stores.
Steven E. Rendle, VF Corp.: The new man in charge at VF Corp., whose brands include The North Face and Timberland, is an outdoor and action sports industry veteran who has been with the apparel conglomerate for 16 years. Rendle most recently served as president and COO of VF, and has been deeply involved in nearly every aspect of the business.
Marianne Wilson
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