Belk Names Two EVPs

Belk Inc., the department store chain in the South owned by private equity firm Sycamore Partners, has pumped up its management team.

Randy Whitaker has been named executive vice president, chief stores officer, and Ron Garrow was named executive vice president, chief people officer. Whitaker’s appointment is effective June 27 and Garrow moves into his role on July 11. Both will serve on Belk’s senior leadership team.

As chief stores officer, Whitaker will oversee Belk’s stores organization, which includes three store divisions, store operations, real estate and merchandising presentation. He comes to Belk after more than 15 years at Victoria’s Secret, having most recently served as executive vice president of store operations. His previous roles at Victoria’s Secret include senior vice president of finance, real estate and stores, and vice president of real estate integration.

As chief people officer, Garrow will oversee Belk’s human resources and communications departments. He joins Belk after more than six years at MasterCard, having most recently served as chief human resources officer. Earlier, Garrow worked at Bank of America and Wachovia.

Garrow succeeds Lilicia Bailey and Whitaker’s position is new. Most recently, the positions were handled on an interim basis by Felicia Robinson as chief people officer and Dave Penrod as chief stores officer.