Zant Exits Bon-Ton for Belk

York, Pa. and Charlotte, N.C. — Department store operator The Bon-Ton Stores said David Zant resigned Feb. 29 from his post of vice chairman, private brands, merchandise planning and internet marketing. Zant had joined the 280-store company in 2005.

"During an interim period, David's direct reports will be reassigned to other members of senior management," said president and ceo Byron Bergren.

The same day, 302-unit department store operator Belk announced Zant is joining the company as part of a series of staffing shifts.

At Belk, Zant will serve as executive vp and gmm for home and men's, reporting to Kathy Bufano, president of merchandising and marketing.

Zant previously worked at Belk as executive vp and gmm for feminine apparel, from October 2004 until January 2005, when he joined The Bon-Ton Stores. He began his retail career in 1978 and held senior merchandising positions with Saks, Incorporated and the former Mercantile Stores Company, Inc. before joining Belk in June 2001 as president of the Belk Central Division in Charlotte. He was subsequently named executive vice president and gmm of men's and home in August 2002 as part of the merchandising and marketing consolidation.

Zant succeeds Bill Roberts, who has been named senior vp and director of stores for the Belk Northern Division based in Raleigh, N.C. He will report to Bob Greiner, chairman of the division.

Roberts succeeds Jan Clevenger. She has been named chair of the Belk Western Division, based in Birmingham, Ala. She will report to John Belk, company president and coo.

The current Western chair, Linda Zwern, has announced her plans to retire effective April 5.