Chinni to retire from JCPenney

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 11/30/2006 7:49:00 AM

Plano, Texas – Charles Chinni, executive vp, home and leisure, women’s accessories and family footwear at JCPenney will retire in February 2007. Until his retirement he will assume the position of special advisor to Ken Hicks, president and chief merchandise officer.

Jeffrey Allison, currently executive vp, planning and allocation, will succeed Chinni on Dec. 1 as executive vp, and general merchandise manager for home and custom decorating.

Discussing Chinni’s career with Penney that began in 2001, Hicks said, “Charlie’s prestigious retail career is marked by solid leadership contributions, including his tenure with JCPenney. Charlie championed the expansion of the JCPenney Home Collection into one of the nation’s largest home brands, which now includes our exclusive partnership with leading designer Chris Madden and our new modern furnishings offerings, Studio by JCPenney Home Collection.”

Hicks added, “Under Charlie’s leadership, women’s accessories and family footwear continue to be among our strongest merchandise categories.” 

Allison joined JCPenney in March 2000 as senior vp, planning and allocation. He was promoted to executive vp in 2005. He joined Penney from Express, Inc., a division of The Limited where he was vp of finance since 1990. He began his career with Exxon Corp.

Clarence Kelley, vp of planning and allocation for Penney since 2001, succeeds Allison. Both Allison and Kelley report to Hicks.