Shopko Promotes Jones to CEO

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 4/6/2009 12:00:00 AM

Green Bay, Wis. —

Shopko ceo Michael MacDonald has left the company to pursue another career opportunity; his last day was April 3.

To replace him, the $2.2 billion privately owned retailer, which operates 135 stores in 13 Midwest, Mountain and Pacific Northwest states, has promoted W. Paul Jones, president and chief merchandising officer, as the new ceo. His new title is effective April 6.

Jones joined the regional discount store chain in November 2007 after a 20-year career with senior leadership roles in at May Department Stores, Kohl's and Sears.

Since joining Shopko, Jones has "successfully implemented an entirely new merchandising strategy based on differentiated brands and strong promotional values," the company said.

"We appreciate the foundation Mike MacDonald has laid for Shopko's future growth," said Scott King, senior managing director for Sun Capital, Shopko's majority shareholder. "We are also ecstatic to have a creative merchant and strong leader like Paul Jones to lead Shopko's talented management team in the years to come. Paul's entry into the company has been positively transformational. I have every confidence that the upcoming leadership transition will be seamless."