Sears brings in former Sony exec to head appliance division

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Former Sony Electronics executive, Steve Haber, is joining Sears Holdings as SVP and president, home appliances.

In his new role with Sears Holdings, Haber will lead the company's effort to continue driving profitable growth in its industry-leading appliance business.

"Home appliances is a cornerstone of our business and our Kenmore brand is in the lives of 100 million Americans," said Ron Boire, Sears Holdings' executive vice president, chief merchandising officer and president, Sears and Kmart formats. "Steve is a proven executive with a deep understanding of what is important to customers – value, quality, innovation and selection. These are qualities we pride ourselves on at Sears Holdings."

Haber comes to Sears Holdings from Sony Electronics, where he most recently served as EVP, leading the product to consumer marketing and the home and digital reading business divisions. Prior to his most recent position, he was the EVP Sony Electronics' consumer product group, which included the home products, digital imaging and audio products, information technology, media applications and solutions business divisions. In this role, he was responsible for the sales and strategic direction of Sony's multi-billion dollar U.S. Consumer Product business. Before that, he was president of Sony's Digital Reading Business Division, responsible for the global direction and development of Sony's Digital Reading business: hardware, software and content.

Haber received his MBA from Pepperdine University.