BigWigs & New Gigs: Retail

CM Buck Lighting Adds Associate
CM Buck & Associates in Indianapolis has added Stephanie Quimby as inside sales and project management associate. She has a background in customer service, relationships and employee experience in both the technology and real estate industries. Quimby also spent nearly 10 years in teaching and educational administration.

Vera Bradley Co-Founder Retiring From Board
Very Bradley co-founder and long-serving board member Patricia Miller is retiring from the company's board of directors effective August 30. Miller started Vera Bradley with friend Barbara Bradley Baekgaard in 1982 and has served on the board since then. She was co-president of the company from 1982 to June 2010, when she was appointed national spokesperson for the company and served in the role till October 2012.

Do it Best Promotes Five, Hires Three
Fort Wayne-based Do it Best has promoted Eerik Hale (pictured) to territory sales and business development manager and Derek Opliger (pictured) to associate merchandise manager for global sourcing. Also, Jarek Hoppe has been promoted to lumber and building materials sales assistant; Amy McCaw to assistant credit manager and Vince Riddle to systems engineer.

Commercial Office Environments Adds to Team
Indianapolis-based Commercial Office Environments has added Joan Bryant as account executive. She previously served as senior salesperson at Workplace Studio by Staples. Bryant holds a Bachelor of Science degree in interior design from Woodbury University as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Principia College. She brings more than 30 years of experience as an interior designer, space planner and furniture sales consultant.

Do It Best Announces Promotions, New Team Members
Fort Wayne-based Do It Best has named four senior leaders to new roles on the Lumber and Building Materials team. Todd Hixson (pictured) will serve as business development manager, a new leadership position. Jean Fahy (pictured) will take over as the division manager of building materials.

IIG Announces VP of Procurement
Dyer-based Interior Image Group has hired Guy Nelson as vice president of procurement. He recently served as director of operations for Carver & Associates in Atlanta, Georgia. Nelson brings over 30 years of hospitality experience to his role with the company. IIG is a hospitality design firm.

Wiers Promotes Hettich President
Plymouth-based Wiers has promoted Drew Hettich to president. He has served 14 years at Wiers where he held several different roles including vice president of quality & operations and general manager. Wiers was established in 1964 and specializes in fleet maintenance, truck repair and international truck sales.

One Click Ventures Announces Promotions
E-tailer One Click Ventures has announced the promotion of five team members to new roles. Aaron Moore (not pictured) has been promoted from Fulfillment Manager to Director of Operations. Moore will oversee all operations for One Click, including Fulfillment, Inventory, and Customer Happiness departments.

Do It Best Makes Promotions
Fort Wayne-based Do It Best has promoted Sara Loyall (pictured) to retail technology specialist. The company also moved three senior sales and business development leaders into new roles. Rob Schmiedel (pictured) has been named sales operations manager, Greg Fuller national sales manager and John Wade strategic account manager.

Reis-Nichols Jewelers Hires Director of Finance
Reis-Nichols Jewelers has named Stacey McMenamin director of finance. She has a background in accounting and banking, with concentration in the areas of manufacturing firms, professional service firms and CFO services. McMenamin previously served in a similar role for the retirement services division of OneAmerica.

DEFENDERS Names Two Partners
Indianapolis-based DEFENDERS has named Cathy George and Dave Browne partners. George has been with the company for nearly 10 years and is controller and director of accounting. Browne serves as executive vice chairman of its board of directors. He is a former CEO of multiple companies. Most notably is LensCrafters, where Browne was instrumental in driving growth, profitability and creating a unique service culture.

Knowles Joins Crown Moving & Storage
Crown Moving & Storage, an interstate agent for Wheaton World Wide Moving, has added Michael Knowles as a business development representative to its team of experienced household goods relocation sales professionals. He has been in the moving and storage industry for the past 10 years, since he joined the team at University Moving and Storage in Indianapolis in customer and revenue services.

ADESA Adds to National Sales Team
ADESA has added Patrick Ming as executive sales director. He joined the KAR organization through the acquisition of OPENLANE in 2011 and brings more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry. Vince McNeal has rejoined the team as senior director of customer solutions. He began his ADESA career in 2005 at the company’s ADESA Lexington auction location serving as a dealer sales representative, before promotions to fleet lease manager and assistant general manager.

TradeRev Makes Hires, Promotions
TradeRev has hired Kayne Grau (pictured) as executive vice president, U.S. and commercial sales. Keith Crerar (pictured) has been named executive vice president of global operations. Also, Kathy Hopkins has been promoted to vice president of sales and Will Farmer has been promoted to vice president of sales.

PAR North America Appoints Senior VP
PAR North America, a business unit of global vehicle remarketing and technology solutions provider KAR Auction Services Inc., has appointed Stacey White senior vice president of remarketing. She previously served as senior vice president of KAR enterprise optimization, overseeing procurement and sourcing strategies. White joined KAR in 2008 as an operational compliance auditor.

KAR Auction Services Promotes Kelly to President
Carmel-based KAR Auction Services Inc. has promoted Peter Kelly to the newly-created role of president. He will oversee ADESA, AFC and OPENLANE including the KAR remarketing services and digital services group businesses. Kelly joined KAR in 2011 through the acquisition of OPENLANE, where he served as co-founder, president and chief executive officer.

LED Indy Adds Senior VP
LED Indy has hired Joe Dayan as senior vice president of sales and marketing. He is an experienced executive and will lead the company’s strategic sales and marketing initiatives. Dayan has spent the last 20 years in the technology sector, working for Fortune 500 companies and also served as a principal in three local startups.

Do it Best Names Director
Do it Best has promoted veteran team member Mike Ter Molen director of LBM operations. He has more than 17 years of lumber and building materials experience at the company, with leadership roles in commodities, building materials, millwork, home décor, and developing distribution partners. Two years ago, he stepped out of LBM to serve as tech engagement divisional manager.

Do It Best Makes Promotions, Hires
Do it Best Corp. Vice President of Merchandising Steve Markley (pictured) has been promoted to executive vice president of operations. Markley came back to the company in the mid-80s, and then moved on to work in the vendor community and also served as a manufacturer’s representative. William "Dent" Johnson (pictured) has been promoted to VP of merchandising. He previously served as a divisional merchandise manager.

Endangered Species Chocolate Adds to Marketing Team
Indianapolis-based Endangered Species Chocolate has added Ashlee Leo to its marketing team as its marketing and promotions manager. She most recently oversaw all marketing and public relations efforts for Mid-America Real Estate Group. Leo also has years of experience in CPG that includes marketing development with Coca-Cola and a manager of trade marketing and brand at Hill & Valley Inc.

Gallagher Uniform Appoints Plant Manager
Gallagher Uniform has appointed Kevin Gallagher plant manager. He will direct a team of more than 35 processing associates within the state-of-the-art uniform rental, laundry, and supply facility. A fifth generation Gallagher, Kevin will also continue to oversee all stockroom operations. In his previous role as IT manager, Gallagher supported and championed the company’s commitment to implementing innovative solutions that drive efficiency and exemplary customer service.

Purchasing Power Names Regional Sales Director
David Skinner has been named regional sales director at Purchasing Power LLC. He will be based in Indianapolis and assumes sales responsibilities covering the U.S. Great Lakes territory. He previously served six years as a principal sales professional at Mercer, working in their Indiana Health Practice. Skinner also worked for 13 years at IHC Health Solutions as vice president, sales and marketing dental and vision.

Dealers Wholesale Names Controller
Dealers Wholesale has named Adam Benoit director of finance/controller. He is a graduate of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and is a Certified Public Accountant. Benoit brings prior CFO and controllership experience within the professional services and manufacturing industries.

Endangered Species Chocolate Adds to Team
Endangered Species Chocolate has added Elaine Vulcano and Shelby Troyer to its marketing and quality teams. Vulcano brings 20 years of retail and CPG marketing experience to the company as brand & partnership marketing manager. Also, Troyer has been named quality programs manager. She previously served as quality control manager at Trader’s Point Creamery.

French Knot Names Design Assistant
Lafayette-based French Knot has named Clara Paris design assistant. She will assist designer Lindsay Mason with knit patterns, trend research, evaluating samples and more. Paris graduated from Purdue University with a degree in apparel design and technology. While at Purdue, she studied abroad at the Hong Kong Polytechnic Institute where she learned more about the textile design.

DEFENDERS Makes Promotions
DEFENDERS has promoted Robert Freeman to chief operating officer. He will lead the sales, field services and customer experience organizations. Also, Bart Shroyer has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer. He will head the finance, accounting, ADT relationships, information technology and legal/risk teams.

Koorsen Fire & Security Names VP
Koorsen Fire & Security has promoted Chad Hohne to vice president of sales. He will be responsible for building, training and coaching a growing high-performance sales team of more than 100 associates covering Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. Hohne previously served as a sales manager, working out of the Evansville branch and previously held sales leadership positions at Victoria National Golf Club, RICOH USA Inc. and SITEX Corp.

Sun King President Stepping Down
The president of Indianapolis-based Sun King Brewing Co. is planning to step away from his day-to-day role at the end of July. Bob Whitt, who was named president in April 2016, says he will continue with more limited ownership responsibilities at the brewery through the end of the year. Whitt says Sun King's principal Co-founders Dave Colt and Clay Robinson will continue to lead the company as co-chief executive officers.

Simon Promotes McDade to CFO
Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group has promoted Brian McDade to executive vice president and chief financial officer. He will succeed Andy Juster on October 1. McDade has been with the company for 14 years, serving in various senior finance and accounting roles with increasing complexity and responsibility, most recently serving as senior vice president and treasurer.

Account Executive Joins Commercial Office Environments
Commercial Office Environments, an Indianapolis-based office furniture dealer, has hired Sean Worland as an account executive. He previously worked as an outside advocate for Carvana LLC and has a background in logistics, communications and marketing.

21st Amendment Promotes Brennan to President
21st Amendment Inc. has promoted Lou Anne Brennan to president. Jim James, who founded the company 47 years ago, will remain chief executive officer and director of its board of directors. Brennan joined the company in 1984, as controller, and most recently served as chief financial officer.

Sweetwater Hires TV Anchor as VP
Fort Wayne-based Sweetwater has hired longtime WANE-TV news anchor and community ambassador Heather Herron as vice president of corporate communications, effective May 29. She will succeed Christopher Guerin, who is retiring. Herron's new role will include local and national public relations, corporate public involvement through the company’s donations program, community engagement and other duties.

Do it Best Corp.'s VP of IT to Retire
Fort Wayne-based Do it Best Corp. has announced Vice President of Information Technology Mike Altendorf is retiring. He has spent more than 30 years in the independent home improvement industry. Altendorf’s retirement is effective August 10. He joined the company in 2009 as director of IT business planning and architecture and was appointed vice president of IT seven months later.

Sweetwater VP to Retire
Fort Wayne-based Sweetwater has announced the retirement of Christopher Guerin, vice president of corporate communications, effective May 29. He joined Sweetwater after serving as president of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Guerin resigned in 2005, after 20 years in that position. He started at Sweetwater as a consultant in July of 2005, and in April of 2006 was named director of program development. His title was later changed to VP of corporate communications.

Sweetwater Adds to Team
Fort Wayne-based Sweetwater has named Julie Machado manager of recruiting and retention for the Sweet Family of Businesses. She spent the last 17 years in HR roles for Lincoln Financial, Tower Bank, and, for the past six years, Vera Bradley. Also, Jacob Dupre has been named video department keyboard artist.

PAR North America Makes Leadership Changes
PAR North America, a business unit of global vehicle remarketing and technology solutions provider, KAR Auction Services Inc. has promoted Jose Delgado (pictured) to senior vice president, sales and business development. Jessie Herdrich (pictured) has been promoted to vice president, compliance and operations. Also, John Sibbitt has been promoted to vice president of operations.

KAR Announces Executive Leadership Change
Carmel-based KAR Auction Services Inc. has named John Hammer president of the company's ADESA business unit. The appointment follows the resignation of Stéphane St-Hilaire who led ADESA since early 2014. Hammer is an automotive industry veteran, who previously served as chief executive officer of KAR’s Automotive Finance Corp. business before leaving the company in 2016.

Endangered Species Chocolate Hires Marketing Chief
Indianapolis-based Endangered Species Chocolate has hired Tod Dalberg as director of brand & marketing. He previously served as vice president of marketing at Simon Property Group. In his new role, Dalberg is responsible for developing all brand and marketing opportunities for the natural chocolate company. He has more than 25 years of marketing and business development experience to the company.

Cox Automotive Names CFO
Cox Automotive has promoted Mark Bowser to executive vice president and chief financial officer. He will also head up the finance and strategy teams, NextGear Capital and other corporate functions. Bowser has been with parent company Cox Enterprises since 2006, most recently as CFO with Cox Communications. He has led the following for Cox Communications the past nine years: accounting and financing planning and analysis; mergers and acquisitions and programming.

Do It Best Corp. Appoints Manager
Do it Best Corp. has promoted David McDonald to divisional merchandise manager. In his new role, he will lead merchandise teams across several product categories and departments, including international purchasing, global sourcing and outdoor living. McDonald has been with the company for 11 years, most recently serving as global sales and product development manager.

Herff Jones Promotes Brown to Director
Indianapolis-based Herff Jones has promoted Kyle Brown to director of customer service. He started with the company last year as manager of talent acquisition. In his new role, Brown will be leading the customer service team charged with supporting its growing diploma and announcement business.

KAR Auction Services, TradeRev Add to Leadership Teams
Carmel-based KAR Auction Services Inc. has acquired the remaining interest in Nth Gen Software Inc. (TradeRev), a mobile app and desktop solution that facilitates real-time dealer-to-dealer vehicle auctions. Becca Polak (pictured) has been named president of TradeRev and has been promoted to chief legal officer and secretary for KAR. TradeRev co-founder and CEO Mark Endras (pictured) has been named chief innovation officer for KAR.

Klipsch Names Channel Marketing Manager
Klipsch has added Tyler Nelson as channel marketing manager. He has more than 15 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry, specifically in audio/video. Nelson previously served as director of training at Remote Technologies and also held leadership, account management and training positions at Best Buy and Sony.

Former MOBI President to Lead Bloomington Company
The former president of Indianapolis-based tech company MOBI has landed a new role. Bloomington-based Author Solutions LLC has named Mitch Black chief executive officer. The announcement comes less than a month after MOBI announced co-founder Josh Garrett would succeed Black as president.

Vera Bradley Appoints Chief Creative Officer
Fort Wayne-based Vera Bradley has promoted Beatrice Mac Cabe to chief creative officer. She previously served as vice president. Mac Cabe succeeds Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, who will now focus on various Vera Bradley-related projects. She will also continue her work as a member of the board of directors. Also, Kim Colby will be stepping down from her role as executive vice president of design effective September 29.

Do it Best Corp. Adds to Team, Promotes Four
Do it Best Corp. has added Sara Loyall and Chris Rodriguez as business technical support specialists to its world headquarters team in Fort Wayne. The company has also promoted: Alex Gilliom, Zach Mezera, Dan Wasvick (pictured) and Dawn Williams (pictured).

Koorsen Appoints CIO
Shawn Williams has been named chief information officer of Indianapolis-based Koorsen Fire & Security. He previously served as CIO of Ingram Micro Mobility, a global company and division of Ingram Micro. In this role, Williams led strategic planning for the IT organization. He was also part of the North American Leadership Council, the executive leader for transforming software applications globally.

Vera Bradley Promotes Enwright to CFO
Fort Wayne-based Vera Bradley Inc. has promoted John Enwright to executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective immediately. He started with the company in 2014 as senior director of corporate financial planning & analysis and was soon promoted to vice president of financial planning & analysis. In March 2017, Enwright was named interim chief financial officer.

Kroger Names Ruler Foods President
A division of Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. has selected a new president. Liz Ferneding will lead Ruler Foods, based in Seymour, following the May retirement of former President Paul Bowen. Ferneding most recently served as director of corporate buying at Illinois-based ALDI Inc.

Hamilton Town Center Hires Director
Hamilton Town Center, a Simon mall, has named MacKenzie Harris director of marketing and business development. She began her career working at Simon in June 2016 in the marketing department for The Town Center at Boca Raton in Boca Raton, Florida after gaining experience from StrataBlue, Brooksource and Beyond Payroll.

J.D. Byrider Appoints CEO
Carmel-based J.D. Byrider has appointed Craig Peters (pictured) chief executive officer. He replaces Steve Wedding, who served the company for 25 years. Wedding will support the transition as an advisor to the J.D. Byrider Board of Directors. Most recently serving as chief operations and technology officer of Barclaycard US, Peters was responsible for delivering a new technology platform to support the launch of a new consumer lending business.

KAR Auction Services Names CCO
KAR Auction Services has named industry veteran Richard Howse chief commercial officer. He previously served as senior vice president of marketing and business development at Volkswagen Credit. Howse has also served in senior finance roles at GMAC and GE Capital and positions with JD Power, Audi of America, Honda and General Motors.

Denison Parking Announces Executive Leadership Transition
Indianapolis-based Denison Parking has announced President and CEO Mark Pratt has resigned and Jeff Line has been promoted to president. Pratt plans to start a new business venture in the parking industry. Line has been an executive with Denison Parking for 10 years, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Kittle’s Announces Family's Fourth Generation in Management
Kittle’s Furniture has promoted Sawyer Kittle to store manager of its Below Market Furniture Store in Fishers. Founded in Indianapolis in 1932 by C.L. Kittle, the company is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year, and has always had a member of the Kittle's family in a leading management role.

Indy Audio Labs Names Director
Indianapolis-based Indy Audio Labs has named Deirdre Moore director of marketing & communications. She holds a B.A. in Visual Communications Design. Moore previously worked at Purdue University in the Center for Entrepreneurship. In her new role, she will assume all responsibility of print and social media marketing, industry trade show coordination, and general company communications.

Herff Jones Appoints Drees President
Herff Jones has appointed Jeffrey Drees president. He most recently served as president of the industry product division at Flowserve Corp. Drees started his career in the U.S. Air Force where he worked as a systems specialist responsible for maintaining, repairing and installing building automation systems in Europe, the Middle East and Turkey.

Varsity Brands Appoints President of Herff Jones
Varsity Brands, the leading company that empowers young people through sport, spirit and achievement, has appointed Jeffrey Drees president of its Herff Jones business division. He recently served as president, industrial product division, at Flowserve Corp. Drees succeeds John Newby, who will assume new leadership responsibilities, including oversight of Varsity Brands’ cross-division IMPACT program.

hhgregg Names Chief Merchandising Officer
Indianapolis-based hhgregg Inc. has named Aaron Trahan (pictured) chief merchandising officer. He previously served as vice president of merchandising for Texas-based Conn's Home Plus. Trahan succeeds Keith Zimmerman, who was terminated by hhgregg in October. The company did not state a reason for the termination. Trahan's appointment continues the string of executive leadership changes for hhgregg.

Meijer President Earns New Role
A grocery chain with a major presence in Indiana will soon have a new chief executive officer. Michigan-based Meijer Inc. says Rick Keyes, who currently serves as the company's president, will add the title of CEO beginning January 1. He succeeds Hank Meijer, who will become executive chairman of the Meijer board of directors.

Circle Centre Mall Names Director
Circle Centre Mall, a Simon mall, has named Leslie Payne director of marketing and business development. She began her career at Simon Property Group as director of marketing and business development at Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis and Indian River Mall in Vero Beach, Florida. Payne also gained additional sales, promotion and marketing management experience with AIMCO, Landis&Gyr, RE/MAX and the IU School of Informatics and Computing at IUPUI.

Do It Best Corp. Promotes Talarico to VP
Do It Best Corp. has promoted Nick Talarico to vice president of sales and business development. He joined the company in 2009 as manager of internal audit. In 2014, Talarico was promoted to divisional manager in merchandising. In his new role, he will lead a team of professional sales consultants committed to helping the co-op’s member-owners grow their businesses while attracting new members.

DEFENDERS Promotes Freeman to VP of Sales
DEFENDERS has promoted Robert Freeman to vice president of sales. He joined the firm as controller in 2007. Freeman has led a variety of executive leadership functions in finance, accounting, payroll, funding, collections, project management, sourcing and facilities. In his new role, he is responsible for leading all sales functions to maximize DEFENDERS’ sales performance and talent development.

ADESA Names Director of Dealer Relations
Carmel-based ADESA, a business unit of KAR Auction Services, has promoted Trent Strauss to director of dealer relations. He has more than 15 years of inbound and retail sales experience. Since joining ADESA in 2010, Strauss has served as district inside sales manager in Colorado Springs, where he was responsible for telesales staff at up to 13 locations.

hhgregg Makes Several Promotions
Indianapolis-based hhgregg Inc. has promoted Kevin Kovacs to chief financial officer and Sam Johnson to chief retail officer. Kovacs succeeds Robert Riesbeck as CFO, following Riesbeck's recent appointment as president and chief executive officer. Kovacs previously served as vice president and controller for the company. Johnson previously served as senior vice president of stores.

hhgregg Names Riesbeck CEO
Indianapolis-based hhgregg Inc. has officially named Robert Riesbeck chief executive officer. He had been serving in the role on an interim basis since February. Riesbeck joined hhgregg in 2014. He will continue to serve as chief financial officer as well until a replacement is appointed. Before coming to the appliance, electronics and furniture retailer, he served in leadership roles for companies including Sun Capital Partners and Marsh Supermarkets. He succeeds Dennis May...

Kroger Names Eric Halvorson Public Affairs Manager
The Kroger Co. has named Eric Halvorson public affairs manager and media spokesman for the company's central division. He left WISH-TV last year after 33 years. Halvorson succeeds John Elliott, who will become the chief executive officer of Gleaners Food Bank in Indianapolis later this year. Halvorson had been the lead news anchor at the station for years.

Crew Carwash Names Area Director
Crew Carwash has promoted Steve Coughlin to area director for northwest Indiana. He joined the company in 1999, and most recently served as senior general manager of Crew’s West Lafayette location. In his new role, Coughlin will oversee operations in Lafayette, Kokomo and Merrillville.

Money Promoted by KAR Auction Services
KAR Auction Services Inc is promoting Jim Money to president of Automotive Finance Corporation, a subsidiary of KAR. He most recently served as chief financial officer of AFC and brings more than 25 years of experience to his new role. While at AFC, he oversaw finance, underwriting, collections and risk management operations.

KAR Auction Services Names Two VPs
KAR Auction Services made two promotions. Dr. Huey Antley has been promoted to vice president and chief data scientist to the new Data Science Solutions Group. He joined KAR in 2014 and most recently served as vice president of marketing analytics for KAR subsidiary Automotive Finance Corp. Kar has also promoted Nicole Archer to vice president of Autoniq, a business unit of KAR Auction Services.

Genesco Names Head of Lids Sports Group
Genesco Inc. has appointed David Baxter president and chief executive officer of its Lids Sports Group and a senior vice president of Genesco. He previously served as president, Sports Licensed Division, adidas/Reebok. Following the acquisition of Reebok by adidas, Baxter was responsible for overseeing sports licensed business with the NBA, MLS, NHL, WNBA and NCAA partners.

KAR Auction Services Names VP
KAR Auction Services Inc. has named Mike Eliason vice president of investor relations and treasurer. He previously served as vice president of financial planning and analysis at KAR. Eliason will be responsible for directing the organization’s investor relations, budgeting, forecasting, investment of funds, and cash management activities.

Sweetwater Hires Sales Engineers
Fort Wayne-based Sweetwater has hired five sales engineers. Those hired include: Jon Faloon (pictured), Michael Morgan (pictured), Josh Sackett, Drew Lehman and Will Crisp. Faloon previously worked at Refresh Design Studios in Muncie. Morgan previously worked as front of house engineer at the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California.

Do It Best Makes Promotions and Hires
The world headquarters for Do It Best Corp. has announced several promotions and hires to the team in Fort Wayne. Ashley Black (pictured): as IT asset management coordinator; Travis Burns: as computer operator; Tony Miller: as a copywriter; Julia Monterroso: as international coordinator; Robin Norris: as a print and mail fulfillment clerk; Stacey Stanton: as a graphics production coordinator.

Circle Centre Mall Announces New Management Team
Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group has named Luke Aeschliman general manager of Circle Centre Mall and Tricia Sanders director of marketing and business development. Aeschliman previously managed Livingston Mall in New Jersey and Sanders served as marketing director at Battlefield Mall in Springfield, Missouri.