The Jeff Gennette era at Macy’s has officially begun as the department store’s board of directors unanimously elected the retail veteran as the company’s new chief executive officer.
As previously announced, Gennette succeeds Terry Lundgren, who will remain with the company and serve as its executive chairman.
Gennette began his career at Macy’s in 1983 as an executive trainee at Macy’s West in San Francisco. Over the years, he has held positions of increasing responsibilities, including vice president and division merchandise manager for men’s collections, and senior vice president and general merchandise manager for men’s and children’s.
Since 2014, he served as president of Macy’s, Inc.
“It’s a very meaningful day for me as I take on leadership of the company I’ve worked for and the colleagues I’ve worked with for more than 30 years,” he said. “While we certainly have our challenges, we also have great assets and opportunity. No company is better up to the task of re-invention than Macy’s.”