Charlotte N.C. – While Belk will remain on the Board, Lisa Harper (former CEO of Hot Topic) will succeed as the new CEO of the company effective July 5, 2016. “After managing through the ownership transition and filling a number of key management positions, I’ve decided this is an opportune time for me to retire as CEO of Belk,” said Tim Belk. “It has been an honor to continue my family’s legacy by serving the company over the past 35 years. I would like to express my gratitude to the thousands of associates, both current and former, and the customers who have helped create the company Belk is today. Their commitment to and passion for our company has been incredible.”
Belk continued by stating, “I also appreciate the partnership we’ve developed with Stefan Kaluzny and Sycamore Partners. Their vision and expertise will carry the company forward to even greater success. A North Carolina native who worked on the selling floor at Belk as one of her first jobs, Lisa Harper brings more than two decades of experience across the retail industry. I am confident she will be a dynamic leader who will carry forth our values, our brand, and our focus on our customers. I look forward to working with Lisa during a transition period in July and in my continued role as a board member.”
Tim Belk has severed as the company’s CEO since 2004, beginning in ’81 as a management trainee. Over the years, he has held a variety of different roles including buyer, store manager, divisional merchandise manager for men’s and boys, senior vice president of human resources, and president of stores and real estate.
Stefan Kaluzny, chairman of the Belk, Inc. Board of Directors and managing director of Sycamore Partners, said, “Tim’s vision and passion as a leader were among the qualities that first attracted us to Belk, and I look forward to continuing to work with him on the Board. We are excited for the company’s next chapter, and we believe Lisa will position Belk for future success as we build on the company’s legacy and continue to deliver its Modern. Southern. Style.”
As for Haper, she continues to serve on the Hot Topic Board of Directors, which she joined back in 2008. Prior to that, she served as CEO from 2001 to 2006 and Chairman from 2002-2006 of the Gymboree Corporation, a publicly traded company operating a chain of specialty retail stores for children and women. She also held various creative, merchandising and design positions at Gymboree.
