JCP picks another Apple alum

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 1/18/2012 12:12:40 PM

Plano, Texas - JCPenney has hired Kristen Blum as executive vp and chief technology officer, effective Jan. 23. Her 25 years of experience at consumer goods and retail companies includes stops at PepsiCo, Abercrombie & Fitch and Apple.

Blum reports to chief operating officer Mike Kramer, also a one-time Apple executive - as are JCP's new ceo, Ron Johnson, and the company's recently hired HR chief, Daniel Walker.

Said Kramer: "Having worked with her for many years, I have seen firsthand Kristen's extraordinary ability to match strategic business objectives with technological solutions."

Blum described JCPenney as "the most exciting place to be in retail today."

She was most recently senior vp, chief information officer for Enterprise Transformation at PepsiCo. From 2006 to 2010, she was senior vp, chief information officer at Abercrombie & Fitch. Prior to that, Blum spent four years at Apple, Inc. as director of supply chain solutions and international retail, overseeing technology supporting global operations and the development of systems supporting Apple retail. From 1999 to 2002, she was a senior manager at KPMG/Bearing Point, consulting for clients in the retail, consumer and high-tech industries. She has also held merchandising, planning and allocation roles at Planet Hollywood, Walt Disney and Victoria's Secret.