JCPenney Appoints VP of Talent from Search Led by Hanold Associates
JCPenney has appointed JP Elliott as Vice President Talent Management, Acquisition and Inclusion & Diversity based in the greater Dallas area. Hanold Associates’ Keri Gavin, Ashley Schiele and Lisa Butkus led the search.
JP Elliott comes to JCPenney from leadership positions at Dick’s Sporting Goods and The Brinks Company. Reporting directly to Brynn Evanson, the Chief Human Resources Officer of JCPenney, Mr. Elliott will oversee the development and implementation of strategic talent acquisition and management initiatives designed to enhance the company’s ability to acquire, develop and retain its associates. He will also oversee inclusion and diversity initiatives throughout the organization.
Her departure is effective Friday, and Penney said she resigned “to pursue another leadership opportunity.”
Penney CEO Jill Soltau left last month, and the retailer’s new owners, major mall owners Simon and Brookfield, said they were seeking to replace her with someone focused on “modern retail.”
Evanson couldn’t be reached for comment and Penney didn’t disclose her plans. Her tenure was during a time of constant changes for Penney’s employees that included last year’s bankruptcy reorganization and new ownership.
She was named chief of human resources during another difficult period at Penney. Former CEO Mike Ullman returned to Penney in April 2013 after the firing of Ron Johnson, who tried to reinvent the department store.