Richard Lesser, who has held the position of President of The Marmaxx Group since 1995, has assumed the position of Chairman of The Marmaxx Group. Mr. Lesser (66) continues as Executive Vice President of TJX and a member of the Board of Directors of The TJX Companies, Inc. Mr. Lesser joined T.J. Maxx in January 1981 as Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager. In 1984, he was named Executive Vice President of T.J. Maxx and in 1986, was named President of that division and Senior Vice President of The TJX Companies, Inc. Mr. Lesser has over 35 years of experience in the retail industry. In Mr. Lesser's new role, he will focus the majority of his time on the strategic growth of The Marmaxx Group as this division's store base continues to expand throughout the United States.
Carol Meyrowitz has been promoted to President of The Marmaxx Group. Ms. Meyrowitz (46) most recently held the position of Executive Vice President, Merchandising, The Marmaxx Group, a post she assumed in February of last year. Prior to that, she was Senior Vice President of Merchandising, a position she held since 1999, when she re-joined the Company. Before her return to the Company, Ms. Meyrowitz held the senior merchandising post at Chadwick's of Boston, a division previously owned by TJX. In her new role, Ms. Meyrowitz will be responsible for the day to day operations of The Marmaxx Group, a division that represents nearly 1,200 stores nationwide for TJX.
Ernie Herrman has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Merchandising, The Marmaxx Group. Prior to assuming this position, Mr. Herrman (40) was Senior Vice President, Merchandising of the same group, a title he held since 1998. Mr. Herrman joined T.J. Maxx in June 1989 as a Buyer. Since that time, he has held various management positions of increasing responsibility in merchandising. In his new role, Mr. Herrman will be responsible for all merchandising for The Marmaxx Group and will continue to report to Carol Meyrowitz.
Arnold Barron continues in his position of Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, The Marmaxx Group. Prior to assuming this role, Mr. Barron (53) served as Senior Vice President, Group Executive, The TJX Companies, Inc., a position he held since 1996. Mr. Barron has a 22-year tenure with TJX, joining the firm in 1979 as Director of Stores for T.J. Maxx. Since that time, he has held several senior store operations and merchandising positions for T.J. Maxx. Mr. Barron is responsible for store operations, distribution services, human resources, finance and systems at The Marmaxx Group and will now report to Carol Meyrowitz.
"I am very pleased with these changes in the Marmaxx senior management team," stated Edmond English, President and Chief Executive Officer of The TJX Companies, Inc. "Dick Lesser has made immeasurable contributions to the growth and success of T.J. Maxx, Marmaxx and TJX over the last 20 years. Carol has worked very closely with Dick for the past year and a half, developing a thorough understanding of the business while reacquainting herself with the Marmaxx organization. She is a dynamic leader with great merchandising skills. I am very confident that Carol and this very fine senior management team will lead Marmaxx to continued growth and success for many years to come."
The TJX Companies, Inc. is the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide. The Company operates 662 T.J. Maxx, 536 Marshalls, 81 HomeGoods and 25 A.J. Wright stores in the United States. In Canada, the Company operates 117 Winners, and in Europe, 74 T.K. Maxx stores. TJX's press releases and financial information are also available on the Internet at www.tjx.com.
