Borders Group announced today it has appointed Michele Delahunty-Cloutier as the company’s new executive v-p, chief merchandising officer. Borders CEO Mike Edwards had been serving as CMO up until now.
Delahunty-Cloutier has worked in merchandising for more than 20 years, focusing on female lifestyle brand building, and repositioning and redefining multi-billion-dollar specialty retail organizations. As CMO of Borders, she will oversee merchandising, marketing, and supply chain, "helping Borders redefine its brand and drive a turnaround of the company," according to a release. She will report to Edwards. Most recently Delahunty-Cloutier, 45, served as brand president for Chico’s FAS; she previously was svp, general merchandise manager for Ann Taylor Stores.
Borders has also named two new regional v-ps to lead its store teams. Eric Kovats is regional v-p for the Southeast region and Beatrice Vicente is regional v-p for the West Coast region.
The appointments come the day after CFO Mark Bierley announced he was leaving the retailer for a new job, although Bierley could remain at Borders through next week's release of second-quarter results.
