Target Ups John Mulligan to COO; Cathy Smith Named CFO

Target Corp. has promoted company veteran John Mulligan to the newly created position of EVP and COO, and has named Cathy Smith as EVP and CFO; both appointments are effective Sept. 1. 

Mulligan has served as the Minneapolis-based retailer's CFO since 2012, and was named interim president and CEO from May to August of last year. During his tenure with Target, Mulligan has served in other key executive positions including director of Target.com finance, director of capital investments, VP of pay and benefits, VP of financial planning and analysis and SVP of treasury and accounting.

“Bringing together key operations functions under John will put Target on a more progressive path to transformation and help us break down barriers to deliver improvements across our business,” said Chairman and CEO Brian Cornell, to whom both Mulligan and Smith will report.

As CFO, Smith will lead Taget's treasury and tax functions; internal and external financial reporting and operations; financial planning and analysis; internal audit; investor relations; and the company's financial and retail services business.

Prior to joining Target, Smith served as EVP and CFO at St. Louis-based pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts, and held CFO positions at Walmart International and GameStop.

“As our new CFO, Cathy brings significant business and retail expertise to Target. Her background will be integral to accelerating our long-term growth strategy," Cornell added.

Target Corp. operates 1,799 stores and Target.com.