JCPenney Appoints New Chief Transformation & Strategy Officer

JCPenney’s announcement of appointing Keith Melker as the Chief Transformation and Strategy Officer shows another step forward to enhance the sophistication of the corporate staff.

Keith Melker will focus on supporting digital growth initiatives. He will explore new partnerships to drive consumer traffic, improve inventory management, and evolve the company’s delivery models. In welcoming Keith, CEO of JCPenney Marc Rosen, said: “As we continue our transformation journey into 2023 we are laser-focused on achieving our goal to better service our customers as they turn to JCPenney for style and value.”

Melker holds a business administration degree from Harvard Business School. He joins JCPenney from Wehner Multifamily, a Texas based property management company where he most recently was the CEO. Previously, he was Chief Strategy Officer for the Kimberly Clark Corp. He also had a decade of experience supporting leading companies during his time at Boston Consulting Group; there he was a Managing Director and Partner.

Here is the line-up of other senior executives that now lead JCPenney.

1. Marc Rosen – Chef Executive Officer

2. Michelle Wlazlo –Chief Merchandising Officer

3. Jim DePaul – EVP, Stores

4. Andre Joyner – Chief Human Resources Officer

5. Katie Mullen – Chief Digital Officer

6. Stephanie Plaines – Chief Financial Officer

7. Sharmeelee Bala – Chief Information Officer

8. Laurie Wilson – Chief Supply ChainXCN2
officer

We list the senior “C” officers and point out that there are many more senior vice presidents and others with senior management titles. The team is nearly complete as the company faces the challenges of 2023.

POSTSCRIPT: JCPenney faces 2023 with a new group of officers, many having been hired in the past year as Marc Rosen shapes his company for the future. JCPenney has to market aggressively to gain a strong customer base. After all, there is still much uncertainty around 2023 as inflationary pressures continue to hold back shoppers from spending too much.

Will JCPenney go public again? I think it will as soon as the new management group now making decisions turn into a team. There is a loyal JCPenney customer out there that will respond to strong promotions.