COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Big Lots (NYSE: BIG), America's largest broadline closeout value retailer, announced promotions and certain organizational changes.
Commenting on today's announcement, Steve Fishman, Chairman, CEO and President stated, "We are very proud of what we have accomplished as an organization over the last several years as we have reinvented this business. Just last week, we announced our third consecutive year of record earnings and articulated a long-range view of the significant growth opportunities that lie ahead for the company, including the addition of approximately 140 stores and potentially 4,000 to 5,000 new jobs over the next three years."
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Mr. Fishman continued, "With growth comes opportunity, and today we are rewarding excellent performance by announcing four executive-level promotions. Lisa Bachmann, Joe Cooper, Chuck Haubiel, and Steven Smart have each played vital roles in the recent success of our strategy. With these management changes, I believe we have taken a meaningful step forward in establishing an organizational structure for the future."
The following promotions are effective immediately:
Lisa M. Bachmann has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Supply Chain Management and Chief Information Officer, with additional responsibility for Distribution and Transportation Services. Bachmann joined Big Lots in March 2002 as Senior Vice President, Merchandise Planning/Allocation, and in July 2005, she assumed the additional role of Chief Information Officer. Ms. Bachmann will continue to report directly to Mr. Fishman.
Joe R. Cooper has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, with additional responsibility for Loss Prevention and Risk Management. Cooper joined Big Lots in May 2000 as Vice President, Strategic Planning and Investor Relations, and in July 2000, he assumed the additional responsibility of Treasury. Cooper was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer in January 2005. Mr. Cooper will continue to report directly to Mr. Fishman.
Charles W. Haubiel II has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Legal and Real Estate, with additional responsibility for the company's employment litigation and general liability administration functions currently associated with Risk Management. He will continue to serve as the company's general counsel, corporate secretary, and also have primary responsibility for the company's real estate operations. Haubiel joined Big Lots in 1997 and was promoted to General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in 2000. He became Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in November 2004, and assumed the responsibility for Real Estate in January 2008. Mr. Haubiel will continue to report directly to Mr. Fishman.
Steven R. Smart has been promoted to Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager. In addition to his current responsibility for Consumables, he will assume additional responsibility for Hardlines and Play & Wear. Smart joined Big Lots in May 2003 as Vice President, Merchandise Manager of Consumables. Mr. Smart will continue to report directly to John C. Martin, Executive Vice President, Merchandising.
Robert S. Segal, Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager, who is currently responsible for the Home and Furniture categories, will assume additional responsibility for the Seasonal category. Mr. Segal will continue to report directly to John C. Martin, Executive Vice President, Merchandising.
The company also announced today the retirement of Brad A. Waite, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Loss Prevention, and Risk Management, after 22 years with Big Lots. Mr. Waite oversaw human resources, training and development, benefits administration, corporate loss prevention, and risk management.
"Brad's leadership has made meaningful contributions to the business and helped shape our company culture," said Fishman. "I wish him and his family the best for the future and appreciate his many years of service to the business."
About Big Lots, Inc.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Big Lots (NYSE: BIG) is a Fortune 500 company with more than 1,360 stores in 47 states. As the nation's largest broadline closeout retailer, Big Lots offers consumers a wide range of bargain-priced merchandise, including brand-name closeouts, seasonal products, consumables, furniture, housewares, toys, and gifts. The Company also sells merchandise through BIG LOTS WHOLESALE, CONSOLIDATED INTERNATIONAL, WISCONSIN TOY, and www.biglotswholesale.com.
SOURCE Big Lots, Inc.
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