Shoe Carnival CEO departs; company veteran named interim chief
Shoe Carnival Inc. is on the hunt for a new leader.
The footwear retailer, which operates stores under the Shoe Carnival and Shoe Station banners, said that Mark Worden "departed" from his position as president and CEO and resigned as a member of the board, effective Feb. 24. Worden joined Shoe Carnival in 2018 and was named CEO in 2021.
Shoe Carnival named Cliff Sifford, the company’s current vice chairman of the board, as interim president and CEO, effective Feb. 24. Sifford first joined Shoe Carnival in 1997, and is no stranger to taking the reins of the company. He has served as the vice chairman of the board since October 2021, and was CEO from 2012 until September 2021, when Worden took over.
[READ MORE: Longtime Shoe Carnival CFO reassumes role]
“We’re grateful for Mark’s many contributions throughout his career at Shoe Carnival and wish him all the best,” said Charlie Tomm, lead independent director on the Shoe Carnival board of directors. “As we look to the next chapter in Shoe Carnival’s transformation and growth, we’re excited to welcome Cliff back to the CEO role. The board believes that Cliff’s proven leadership, coupled with his years of experience with Shoe Carnival and his vast knowledge of the business, make him the right person to lead Shoe Carnival as we execute our strategic plan.”
As of Feb. 25, 2026, Shoe Carnival operated 426 stores in 35 states and Puerto Rico under its Shoe Carnival and Shoe Station banners. Late last year, the company announced it would change its corporate name to Shoe Station Group Inc. and consolidated both banners under the Shoe Station name.
“I am honored to be named interim president and CEO to help lead Shoe Carnival through its next phase of growth,” said Sifford. “I look forward to working with the rest of the executive team and the board as we seek to become the nation's leading family footwear retailer.”
