Sweney Named JCP's Top Merchant

Home Textiles Today Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 3/19/2012 2:00:00 AM

PLANO, TEXAS - JCPenney has promoted Liz Sweney to chief merchant overseeing all merchandise divisions.
     She was previously executive vp and gmm of women's apparel, accessories, footwear, jewelry and children's as well as the Sephora shop-in-shops.
     Two other execs were promoted as direct reports to Sweney: Siiri Dougherty, now senior vp/dmm of women's apparel; and Liz Asay, now senior vp for Sephora shps.
     The retailer also announced the team that will create Penney's new brand strategy.
     Brian Robinson joins the company as vp, marketing and design partnerships. He was most recently director of fashion and design partnerships at Target, leading initiatives with brands including Missoni and Liberty of London.
Katheryn Burchett has been promoted to senior vp, merchandising and marketing integration. Most recently divisional vp for merchandise strategy, she will be responsible for working with the retailer's new strategic partners - many of whom have yet to be announced.
     Anne Cashill has been appointed senior vp, strategic brands and will oversee the development of the Liz Claiborne, Martha Stewart, l'amour Nanette Lepore brands along with "many more to come," accdoridng to the company. She joins JCP from Coach, Inc., where she w as vp of merchandising. Cashill previously spent eight years at Liz Claiborne, Inc. as corporate vp, design and merchandising, as well as five years as design director at Target.
     Bill Gentner has been promoted to senior vp, strategic brands, responsible for private brands such as The Original Arizona Jean Company and Xersion as they transition into in store shops. He was previously senior vp of planning and promotion.
     Steve Seabolt has been hired as senior vp, strategic brand alliances with a focus on leading the development of non-apparel partnerships. He comes from Electronic Arts, where he was vp, global brand partnerships.
     On the marketing side, the company has hired Eric Hunter as senior vp, marketing. He was recently chief marketing officer for Kellwood Company. Greg Clark has been promoted to senior vp, creative. He had been vp of creative.
     Mike Fisher has been named senior vp of visual presentation to oversee the company's new store experience, including the Street, the Square and the Shops. He joins jcpenney from Apple.