NRF names new president

Washington, D.C. National Retail Federation chairman Terry Lundgren, chairman, president and CEO of Macy’s, announced Wednesday that Matt Shay has been selected to serve as the next president and CEO of NRF. Shay will be elected formally at the June 22 NRF board meeting.

Shay joins NRF from the International Franchise Association where he served as president and CEO. He succeeds Tracy Mullin, who is retiring after 17 years as NRF’s CEO.

“Matt brings a deep level of knowledge and experience that will be very beneficial to NRF and its members,” said Lundgren. “He has the leadership skills, energy and enthusiasm necessary to guide this organization confidently into the future, and I look forward to working with him on the issues and projects that lie ahead.”

Shay began his career at the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants after receiving his undergraduate degree from Wittenberg University and his law degree from Ohio State University. He joined the IFA in 1993 and served in several positions of increasing responsibility including VP and director of government relations, senior VP and chief counsel, and executive VP and COO. He was named IFA president in 2004 and added the title of CEO in 2007.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with NRF’s outstanding Board of Directors and staff in leading such a dynamic and influential association,” said Shay. “Retail is the lifeblood of our economy and with the challenges we face on Capitol Hill, the stakes have never been higher. There is a lot of work to be done, and I’m very excited to get started.”

The International Franchise Association represents more than 1300 franchise companies around the world, including a number of retail firms.