Our Executives

Myron E. Ullman, III is chairman of the board and chief executive officer of J. C. Penney Company, Inc. Before joining JCPenney, Mike served as directeur general, group managing director of LVMH Möet Hennessy Louis Vuitton from 1999 to 2002. He previously served as group chairman and chief executive officer of DFS Group Limited (1995-1999) and as chairman and chief executive officer of R.H. Macy & Co., Inc. (1992-1995). Mike serves on the boards of Starbucks Coffee Company and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. He is also chairman of the National Retail Federation and chairman of the board for Mercy Ships International, a global medical and human services charity.

Ken C. Hicks has served as president and chief merchandising officer since January 2005. Ken leads all merchandising initiatives to ensure that the Company is providing a broad selection of private, national and exclusive brands that offer great style and quality at smart prices, including the recent launch of two new concepts, Sephora Inside JCPenney and American Living by POLO Ralph Lauren’s Global Brand Concepts. He joined the Company in 2002 as president and chief operating officer of JCPenney stores and merchandise operations. Previously, Ken was president of Payless Shoe Source and executive vice president of merchandising and programming for the Home Shopping Network. Ken has also held a number of senior merchandise positions at May Department Stores and was a senior engagement manager at McKinsey & Co. Ken serves on the boards of the Avery Dennison Corporation, National 4-H Council and Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business.

Jeffrey J. Allison is executive vice president and general merchandise manager of home and custom decorating. Jeff provides strategic leadership and direction for the Company’s Home business and industry-leading Home private brands, including Chris Madden, Studio and Cooks, all under the JCPenney Home Collection. Jeff joined JCPenney in 2000, and previously held the role of executive vice president and director of planning and allocation. He was formerly vice president of finance at Express, Inc., a division of The Limited, Inc., which he joined in 1990.

Ruby Anik is the senior vice president of brand marketing. In her position, Anik oversees the development and execution of the Company’s brand marketing strategy, clearly articulating the retailer’s offering of style and quality at smart prices, and ensuring the consistent execution of the JCPenney brand in customer messaging. Previously, Anik served as senior vice president of marketing communications and business operations for Best Buy Company, Inc. Anik joined Best Buy in 2000 as vice president of media and in 2002 was promoted to vice president of advertising. Before joining Best Buy, Anik spent three years at Pillsbury Company as director of advertising and media. Prior to her position at Pillsbury Company, she spent four years at Euro RSCG Tatham, where she joined as associate media director and rose to senior partner, group media director. From 1984 to 1991, Anik served as a media planner then vice president, media director, at Young & Rubicam Advertising. Anik has a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a master’s degree in marketing management from the University of Mumbai.

Michael J. Boylson has served as executive vice president and chief marketing officer since 2003. He oversees the development and execution of JCPenney’s brand strategy, including the Company’s new brand positioning, “Every Day Matters.” In addition, Mike oversees the marketing vision for JCPenney’s private and proprietary brands, with a focus on the Company’s top five private apparel brands. Mike began his career with JCPenney in 1978. In 2006, he was inducted into the Retail Advertising Hall of Fame.

Robert B. Cavanaugh is executive vice president and chief financial officer, a position he has held since 2001. In his role, Bob is responsible for developing and executing the company’s financial plans, and providing leadership to the corporate strategic planning, treasurer’s, controller’s, tax services, investor relations, business finance and internal auditing functions. Bob joined JCPenney in 1978, and served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Eckerd Drug Stores in 1999 and 2000. Prior to that, he held positions of increasing responsibility in corporate finance, and was elected vice president and treasurer in 1995.

Thomas A. Clerkin is senior vice president and director of finance for stores, catalog and Internet. In this position, which he has held since 2001, Tom oversees financial analysis and reporting for JCPenney’s operating units and leads the implementation of financial strategies. He joined JCPenney in 1971 in catalog, and has held a variety of management positions of increasing responsibility in personnel, administrative services, treasurer’s, specialty retailing and planning and research.

Michael P. Dastugue has served as senior vice president and director of property development for JCPenney since 2005. In this role, Michael is responsible for strategies designed to make JCPenney an easy, enjoyable and exciting place to shop by enhancing the store environment to provide the best-in-class shopping experience, and leading the Company’s aggressive store expansion program to open 250 new stores from 2007 to 2011. Prior to his current position, Michael served as senior vice president and director of corporate finance. He began his career with JCPenney as a treasurer’s financial analyst in 1991, and subsequently held a variety of finance management positions of increasing responsibility.

Clarence Kelley is executive vice president and director of planning and allocation. Clarence leads the execution of the Company’s merchandise planning and allocation strategies, with a primary focus on driving sales and improving inventory productivity. Previously, he was senior vice president and director of planning and allocation for Home, Family Footwear and Women’s Accessories. Clarence came to JCPenney in 2001 as director of planning and allocation of the Home division. Prior to joining JCPenney, he held positions of increasing responsibility, including divisional vice president of planning for the Kmart Corporation and divisional controller for Lane Bryant.

Marie Lacertosa is senior vice president and director of supply chain management, and president of JCP Logistics LP, an operating subsidiary of the Company. Marie is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership for supply chain activities surrounding the movement of merchandise from suppliers to JCPenney stores and Direct customers. This includes distribution activities in 21 facilities throughout the United States, supported by over 8,000 Associates. Marie joined JCPenney in 1981 and has held a series of positions of increasing responsibility, primarily in the Logistics organization. In 2004, she was appointed vice president and director of Supply Chain Operations and Engineering.

Peter M. McGrath has served as executive vice president and director of private brands, product development and sourcing since 2005. Peter directs the development of the Company’s industry-leading private brand strategy along with the international and domestic sourcing operations. Additionally, he leads the Company’s cycle time reduction initiative with a focus of reducing the average time from product conceptualization and design to the arrival of goods from 50 weeks to 25 weeks. Peter is recognized as a leader and expert in the global apparel trade and has served in several leadership positions with industry organizations. He is currently chairman of global product marketing for the U.S.D.A. Cotton Board. He joined JCPenney in 1973.

Thomas Nealon is executive vice president and chief information officer. In his role, Tom oversees the Company’s information technology, including the design and ongoing development of systems and infrastructure to support the Company's Long-Range Plan and strategic business objectives. Additionally, he leads the development of innovative technological and other process improvements across the business, focusing on improving the customer experience and increasing effectiveness. Tom joined JCPenney in 2006 from EDS, where he served on assignment as the senior vice president and chief information officer at Southwest Airlines. Prior to his assignment at Southwest Airlines, he served as a partner for the Feld Group, an IT management consultancy firm and as chief information officer of Frito-Lay, Inc.

Beryl Raff has been executive vice president and general merchandise manager of fine jewelry since 2005. In her role, Beryl oversees the largest full-service, fine jewelry department store business in the U.S., ensuring that the Company is offering a broad selection of merchandise with great style and quality at smart prices. Prior to joining JCPenney in 2001, Beryl served as the chairman and chief executive officer of Zale Corporation. In 1999, the Women’s Jewelry Association named her to its Lifetime Hall of Fame, and in 2002 the American ORT Jewelry Industry presented her with their Community Achievement Award.

Elizabeth H. Sweney is executive vice president and general merchandise manager of women’s apparel, the largest division in the Company. Under her leadership, JCPenney has launched a number of successful private and exclusive designer brands, including a.n.a, Liz & Co., Bisou Bisou and nicole by Nicole Miller. Liz joined JCPenney in 2000. She previously held several senior-level positions at Kellwood Co., which she joined after 17 years with Montgomery Ward & Co.

Steven Lawrence is executive vice president and general merchandise manager of the men’s division. Prior to his current role, Steve served as senior vice president and general merchandise manager of the children’s division. Before that, he was divisional vice president and divisional merchandising manager for young men’s sportswear. Steve joined JCPenney in 2000 from Foley’s where he held positions of increasing responsibility in men’s apparel for more than 10 years.

Michael W. Taxter has served as executive vice president, director of JCPenney stores since 2002, with leadership of all store-level execution strategies and responsibility for district and regional support units. In recent years, he has overseen the development and execution of comprehensive improvements in store operations and service programs following the Company’s centralization process. Mike began his career with JCPenney in 1971 and held positions including regional president, director of stores coordination, district manager and store manager.

Michael T. Theilmann has served as executive vice president, chief human resources and administration officer since 2005. In this role, he is responsible for strategies designed to make JCPenney the preferred choice for a retail career, including the implementation of WINNING TOGETHER, the Company’s employment brand which focuses on making JCPenney a great place to work. Mike also oversees the Company’s communications and corporate social responsibility functions and is responsible for the overall leadership of the Company’s logistic and supply chain functions. Previously, he served as senior vice president International Human Resources and chief people officer at Yum! Brands, Inc. Before joining Yum!, Mike worked in human resources at Burger King and Grand Metropolitan. He has been in the human resources field for 20 years.