BJ's Wholesale Club Appoints Sen President, C.O.O.; Restructures Merch Division

NATICK, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. said yesterday that Laura Sen has been appointed president and chief operating officer and elected to the Company's Board of Directors. Sen is now responsible for all day-to-day operations.

Sen joined BJ's in 1989 and served as e.v.p. of merchandising and logistics from 1997 to 2003. She rejoined the retailer in January 2007. Sen has almost 30 years of experience in mass retailing, including stints with Zayre Corp., previously the parent company of BJ's, and Jordan Marsh Co.

BJ's chairman and c.e.o. Herb Zarkin retains a number of key responsibilities, among them heading up the company's strategic planning, management succession, and chain-expansion activities. Zarkin, who has been a director of the company since November 1996 and chairman of the board since 1997, has served as president and c.e.o. since March 2007, after becoming interim c.e.o. in November 2006. From 1993 to 1997 he was president, c.e.o., and director of Waban Inc., which operated BJ's.

"Laura Sen has been an important part of BJ's success through most of its history, and she has broad experience that will be tremendously important to its future," noted Zarkin in a statement.

Additionally, BJ's has restructured its merchandising division under the leadership of Christina Neppl, who last served as s.v.p. and controller at BJ's, replaces Sen as e.v.p. of merchandising and logistics. Neppl will report directly to Sen, who will continue to handle merchandise strategy.

Also, Bruce Graham, s.v.p., general merchandising manager of consumables, takes on additional responsibilities as general merchandising manager of perishables, and Mark Titlebaum becomes s.v.p., general manager of general merchandise, a position that has been vacant. Robert Eddy, s.v.p. of finance, manages the financial departments formerly headed up by Neppl.

BJ's operates 177 clubs in 16 states.
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