Big Lots names Bachmann coo, Johnson cfo, Martin cmo; accepts Wurl's resignation

Home Textiles Today Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 8/23/2012 2:21:34 PM

Columbus, Ohio - Coming off a challenged first half of the year, Big Lots has made certain organizational changes in its executive posts and made some promotions.

The company also announced that Douglas Wurl has resigned from his post as evp, merchandising - a post he assumed in mid April 2011.

"I've always believed our people are our greatest asset and that we continue to develop some of the most talented leaders in the retail industry," said Steve Fishman, chairman, ceo and president. "As our business continues to evolve, we are positioning our company for the future and rewarding performance of five of our more tenured executives."

The following promotions are effective immediately, and all report to Fishman:

--Lisa Bachmann to evp, coo, responsible for store operations as well and retaining responsibility for the merchandise planning and allocation, information technology and distribution and transportation services departments.
Bachmann joined Big Lots in 2002 as svp, merchandise planning/allocation, and in July 2005 took on the additional role of chief information officer. Then in March 2010, she was promoted to evp and assumed responsibility for distribution and transportation services - he last role before her recent promotion.

--Charles Haubiel II to evp, chief administrative officer, responsible for the human resources and loss prevention while retaining responsibility for the legal and real estate departments. He also continues to serve as the company's general counsel and corporate secretary.
Haubiel first joined Big Lots in 1997, and was promoted to vp, 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. In March 2010, he was promoted to evp.

--John Martin to evp, chief merchandising officer, responsible for the company's merchandising, global sourcing and marketing departments. He came to work for Big Lots in 2003 as evp, merchandising, and in April 2011 shifted his focus to evp, administration.

--Timothy Johnson to svp, cfo, responsible for the treasury and risk management departments as well as overseeing all of the financial activities of the company. He has been with Big Lots since 2000 when he was appointed director of strategic planning. He was then promoted to vp, strategic planning and investor relations in February 2004. Most recently, he served as svp, finance, a post he has held since July 2011.

Reporting to Haubiel is Michael Schlonsky, who has been promoted to svp, human resources from his former post as vp, associate relations and benefits. He is now responsible for talent management and oversight of the human resources department. Schlonsky joined Big Lots in 1993, was promoted to director of risk management in 1998 and became a vp in 2000.