Mary Beth West joins JCPenny as EVP, Chief Customer & Marketing Officer

Mary Beth West, is joining JCPenny’s executive leadership team as Executive Vice President and Chief Customer and Marketing Officer effective June 1, 2015. She will be stepping down from her position on its board of directors to assume this new role.

West has been a member of the JCPenney board since 2005 and has served in numerous leadership positions at General Foods and Kraft Foods. In joining JCPenney, West brings nearly 30 years of consumer and retail marketing experience to the company with expertise in brand management, integrated marketing communications and consumer insights and strategy. Most recently, West held the top marketing role with Mondelez International, where she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Category and Marketing Officer.

“Mary Beth's contributions to the board have been invaluable,” said Myron E. (Mike) Ullman, III, Chief Executive Officer of JCPenney, adding, “Her vast experience developing and growing some of the world's most trusted and well-known brands was instrumental to our work building an emotional connection with our customers.”

West will not stand for re-election to the JCPenney board of directors and will step down from the board at the end of her term, which concludes on May 15, 2015, at the company's annual meeting of stockholders. Following her appointment to Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, she will join the company's executive board and report directly to the company's Chief Executive Officer.

Additionally, Kirk Waidelich has been promoted to Senior Vice President, sales promotion and marketing. Waidelich is a 28-year veteran of JCPenney who brings rich experience in customer, marketing and overall retail knowledge to this very important role. Waidelich will be a member of the company's executive board and report to West.