Gottschalks Chairman Levy will Retire

Fresno, Calif. —Gottschalks Inc. said chairman of the board Joseph Levy will retire at the end of the year; he will remain on the board thereafter. A member of Gottschalks founding family, Levy has served as chairman since the company first went public in 1986.

Board member Joseph Penbera has been elected lead director effective immediately. He, too, has served on the board since 1986. President and ceo Jim Famalette remains in his positions at the 68-store western regional department store and specialty store operator.

Levy said, “I am very proud of what Gottschalks has accomplished over the last 50 years. Emil Gottschalks founded this company in 1904 and I have every confidence that Joe and Jim will successfully lead Gottschalks into its next chapter as we continue to execute our long-term growth strategy and maximize shareholder value.”