NEW YORK — Carol Greer has joined Gadzooks, the Dallas-based women’s specialty chain, as president and chief merchandising officer on a permanent basis. She had been serving in the positions on an interim basis since early February. She is also a member of the board.
Greer had earlier been president and chief executive of the specialty footwear and apparel division of Woolworth/Venator, as well as holding the post of vice chairman of merchandising at the Broadway/Carter Hawley Hale Stores Inc. and the positions of president and chief executive at Broadway Southwest. Prior to that, she spent 19 years with Rich’s, a division of Federated Department Stores. Greer also serves on the Board of Loehmanns and is president of the Carol Greer Associates retail consulting firm.
Paul Masters, Gadzooks’ former president and chief merchandising officer, was ousted by the company when it filed for bankruptcy court protection in February.
“The talent and experience that Carol brings to the company will be invaluable as we continue the process of positioning Gadzooks as the leading destination for the fashion-forward junior customer,” Jerry Szczepanski, chairman and chief executive, said in a statement. “The positive impact of her merchandising leadership can already be seen in our rapidly improving results. We are very appreciative of her assistance and look forward to her continuing contributions.”
Also, Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. named Thomas Kennedy as the division president of PacSun, starting May 10. Kennedy will be responsible for all merchandising, design and marketing of the firm’s Pacific Sunwear division. Four vice presidents/general merchandise managers of PacSun merchandising, as well as the director of marketing, will report to Kennedy.
— J.W.