Sears names Gymboree executive as president

With its stock trading at a 52-week low, Sears has made an interesting choice to lead its department store business.

The company says it has found a new executive to develop a strategy for the Sears format that focuses on meeting the needs of the Shop Your Way member.

According to the company, Joelle Maher, who has been named president and chief member officer of the Sears business, will be responsible for aligning the operations of the Sears department store chain with Sears Holdings' "Shop Your Way" business strategy.

Maher comes to Sears Holdings from Gymboree Corporation, where she served as chief operating officer and was responsible for leading all operational aspects of the company, including stores, planning and allocation, real estate and construction, international, distribution and logistics, operational process and strategy, and information technology.

Prior to Gymboree, Maher spent seven years at Levi Strauss & Company in various senior leadership roles including serving as executive vice president and president, Global Multichannel Retail. She also worked at Lucky Brand Jeans for seven years, and began her career in merchandising and planning roles at Old Navy, Macy's East and Lord & Taylor.

“Joelle’s depth and breadth of retail and business experience and ability to achieve superior results in established organizations make her a strong fit for this member-focused role at Sears Holdings,” said Edward S. Lampert, Sears Holdings Chairman and CEO. “She will work closely with me and our business unit leaders to lead our iconic Sears brand in its continued transformation as an integrated retail format.”