J.C. Penney this week announced the appointment of Keith Melker as the company’s chief transformation and strategy officer. He started with the company on Wednesday.
![Headshot of Keith Melker.](https://www.retaildive.com/user_media/diveimage/0201_JCPenney_Appoints_New_Chief_Transformation_and_Strategy_Officer_headshot.jpg)
Melker oversees the transformation office and will drive consumer traffic, enhance inventory management, advance digital growth, explore partnerships and evolve the company’s value delivery model, according to a company press release.
Katie Mullen, who came to J.C. Penney in 2022 as its chief digital and transformation officer from Neiman Marcus Group, will remain the retailer’s chief digital officer.
“As we continue our transformation journey into 2023, we’re laser-focused on achieving our goals to better serve our customers as they turn to JCPenney for style and value,” CEO Marc Rosen said in a statement. “Keith’s extensive experience in transformation work and strategic leadership abilities will make him a valued advisor in this next step for our organization.”
Melker comes to J.C. Penney from Wehner Multifamily, a Texas-based property management company, where he served as the company’s CEO. He was previously the chief strategy officer for Kimberly-Clark Corporation and was a partner and managing director at Boston Consulting Group.
J.C. Penney filed for bankruptcy in the spring of 2020 and shortly thereafter was purchased by Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management.
Last year the company named a new marketing chief in addition to a new CFO.