NRF makes management changes to focus on strategic plan

WASHINGTON -- The National Retail Federation announced that it has promoted Carleen Kohut, who has served as NRF SVP and CFO for the past ten years, to COO, as part of board-approved restructuring plan.Additionally, Susan Newman, VP conferences, has been promoted to SVP conferences and Mike Gatti, formerly SVP communications, has been named SVP member relations.

“As NRF sharpens its primary focus to advocacy, communications and education, it’s essential to invest in talented executives who will maximize our effectiveness in enacting this aggressive agenda,” said NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay. “As we continue to build our executive staff, we will make additional investments in outside talent to complement the current team and add to the capabilities and strengths of NRF’s staff.”

NRF recently announced the addition of David French as SVP government affairs and created several new executive-level positions in its senior team. Searches are currently underway for a SVP communications and public affairs, who will be responsible for leading strategic communications and research initiatives, and a SVP communities and networks, who will be responsible for leading efforts to engage NRF’s diverse constituencies and support the new strategic plan.