Charming Shoppes Shuffles Management And Won’t Sell Figi’s

Charming Shoppes, Inc. has shuffled and augmented its management. The women’s apparel marketer also said it would no longer attempt to sell its Figi’s food business.

Within its executive ranks, Anthony M. Romano has been appointed executive VP for global sourcing and business transformation, effective immediately. Romano joined Charming Shoppes in February 2009, and was charged with reducing costs. His role has been expanded to include global sourcing, distribution, logistics, quality control and quality assurance. Romano will continue to report to president and CEO Jim Fogarty.

Additionally, Bill Bass has accepted the permanent role of president of the company's Charming Direct division, with responsibility for building the commerce businesses, which include www.lanebryant.com, www.fashionbug.com, and www.catherines.com. Bass joined Charming Shoppes January 2009 in a consulting capacity, with responsibility for upgrading the Company's e-commerce platforms. Bass will continue to report to Jim Fogarty.

Lisa J. Batra has joined Charming Shoppes as director of e-commerce for the Fashion Bug brand. Batra's direct-to-consumer experience of more than 10 years includes product management positions at Bath & Body Works and QVC, Inc. Most recently, she was employed by the Lowe's Companies, Inc. as the head of marketing for lowes.com, with responsibility for marketing, strategy and execution of that company's e-commerce site.

Kimberly Aylward has joined the company as director of e-commerce for the Catherines brand. Aylward joins the company following 12 years at Garnet Hill, Inc., where she served in management positions of increasing responsibility, culminating in her position as director of Web merchandising and cross-brand business development.

Both Batra and Aylward will report to Bass.

Michele B. Pascoe has joined the company as division CFO and VP of finance for the Fashion Bug brand. She will report to Jay Levitt, president of Fashion Bug and Eric M. Specter, executive VP and CFO. Pascoe previously held the role of CFO with Taryn Rose International.

Brett R. Schneider has been appointed division CFO and VP of finance for the Catherines brand. He will report to Carol Williams, president of Catherines, and Specter. Schneider joined Charming Shoppes in 1996 and has held a number of positions within the company's finance division. Most recently, he served Charming Shoppes as the division CFO and VP for the combined finance group of the Fashion Bug brand, Catherines brand and Outlet stores division.

Joseph Long has been appointed director of finance for the Outlet stores division. He will report to MaryEllen MacDowell, president of Outlets, and Specter. Long joined Charming Shoppes in 1995, and has held finance positions of increasing responsibility since that time. He most recently served as Director, Finance, for the combined finance group of the Fashion Bug brand, Catherines brand and Outlet stores division.

Jeffrey H. Liss has been appointed VP of strategy, with responsibility for development and management of strategic activities of the Company, including existing key strategic initiatives such as expense reductions. Additionally, he will oversee the collection and analysis of competitive market and consumer insights. He will continue to report to Tony Romano. Liss joined Charming Shoppes in 2004.

Additionally, company shareholders re-elected the following directors for a one-year term: Arnaud Ajdler, Michael C. Appel , Richard W. Bennet, III, Yvonne M. Curl, James P. Fogarty, Michael Goldstein, Katherine M. Hudson, Alan Rosskamm, and M. Jeannine Strandjord.

Regarding its attempt to divest itself of its Figi's Gifts in Good Taste catalog business, the company said it had not received a bit equal to its desired valuation. Charming Shoppes began exploring sale of the unit in August 2008, in an effort to concentrate on its core brands.