Big Lots Promotes Four, Makes Org Changes

-- Home Textiles Today, 3/22/2010 12:00:00 AM

Columbus, Ohio —

Broad-line closeout retail chain Big Lots Inc. has promoted four top executives and made certain organizational changes to its team.

Steve Fishman, chairman, ceo and president said these announcements come on the heels of Big Lots' reporting its third consecutive year of record earnings, when it also articulated a long-range view “of the significant growth opportunities that lie ahead for the company, including the addition of approximately 140 stores and potentially 4,000 to 5,000 new jobs over the next three years.”

He added that “with growth comes opportunity, and today we are rewarding excellent performance” by announcing four executive-level promotions.

Lisa Bachmann has been promoted to evp, supply chain management and chief information officer, with additional responsibility for distribution and transportation services. She joined the company in March 2002 as svp, merchandise planning/allocation, and in July 2005 took on the additional role of chief information officer. Bachmann continues to report to Fishman.

Joe Cooper has been promoted to evp, cfo, with additional responsibility for loss prevention and risk management. Cooper joined Big Lots in May 2000 as vp, strategic planning and investor relations, and in July 2000 assumed the additional responsibility of treasury. Cooper was promoted to svp, cfo in January 2005. He continues to report to Fishman.

Charles Haubiel II has been promoted to evp, legal and real estate, with additional responsibility for the company's employment litigation and general liability administration functions currently associated with risk management. He continues to serve as the company's general counsel, corporate secretary, and also have primary responsibility for the company's real estate operations. Haubiel joined Big Lots in 1997 and was promoted to general counsel and corporate secretary in 2000. He became svp, general counsel and corporate secretary in November 2004, and assumed the responsibility for real estate in January 2008. He continues to report to Fishman.

Steven Smart has been promoted to svp, general merchandise manager. In addition to his current responsibility for consumables, he will assume additional responsibility for hardlines and play & wear. Smart joined Big Lots in May 2003 as vp, merchandise manager of consumables. Smart continues to report to John Martin, evp, merchandising.

Robert Segal, svp, general merchandise manager, who is currently responsible for the home and furniture categories, now assumes additional responsibility for the seasonal category. Segal continues to report to John Martin, evp, merchandising.

Big Lots, which operated more than 1,360 stores in 47 states, is also announcing the retirement of Brad A. Waite, evp, human resources, loss prevention, and risk management. In his 22 years with Big Lots. Waite oversaw human resources, training and development, benefits administration, corporate loss prevention, and risk management.

“Brad's leadership has made meaningful contributions to the business and helped shape our company culture,” said Fishman. “I wish him and his family the best for the future and appreciate his many years of service to the business.”

Fishman added: “Lisa Bachmann, Joe Cooper, Chuck Haubiel, and Steven Smart have each played vital roles in the recent success of our strategy. With these management changes, we have taken a meaningful step forward in establishing an organizational structure for the future.”