Nordstrom creates new executive role

Nordstrom has added the title of chief innovation officer to its executive team.



The department store retailer named company veteran Geevy Thomas to the new position. Thomas, who most recently served as president of Nordstrom Rack, brings 34 years of experience in all areas of Nordstrom to this role, beginning as a salesperson and then moving into store, regional and buying management roles.



“Our new chief innovation officer and his team will lead the most forward-looking customer-centric effort that Nordstrom has taken on to date,” said Erik Nordstrom, co-president of Nordstrom.



The new Innovation team will be tasked with helping the company ideate how its full-line stores of the future will better serve customers through further integration of digital and mobile.



“We’re looking to answer big questions and to get there, we’re giving our Nordstrom Innovation team the ability to move quickly and boldly to find solutions for the stores of tomorrow right out of the gate today,” continued Nordstrom. “Creating a fully separate team will help remove restrictions or boundaries around what’s possible for the Innovation team to test and try.”



Replacing Thomas as president of Nordstrom Rack is Karen McKibbin as president, Nordstrom Rack. A 30-year Nordstrom veteran, McKibbin most recently was the company’s first president of Nordstrom Canada. She was named to the role in 2012, leading the company’s efforts to serve customers through its first international venture. She and her team opened five of the company’s six planned stores (with one to come in 2017).



McKibbin began her Nordstrom career in 1985 as a stockperson.