J.Jill, Inc. (NYSE:JILL) today announced that Paula Bennett will
retire as President and CEO and Director of J.Jill, Inc. Ms.
Bennett will be succeeded by Linda Heasley, who currently serves on
the Board of Directors of J.Jill, Inc., effective April 16, 2018.
Ms. Bennett will work closely with Ms. Heasley and the leadership
team to ensure a smooth transition.
“It has been an honor and privilege to work with our talented
team, and I am very proud of the company we have created over the
past 10 years. Through our commitment to our customers we have
built a strong omnichannel brand and have delivered consistent
profitable growth despite the shifting retail landscape,” said Ms.
Bennett. “I have worked with Linda over the past year while serving
together on our Board, and I am confident that her leadership
experience combined with her deep understanding of our industry,
our company and our customers will make her extremely well-suited
to lead the company. I am committed to a seamless and effective
leadership transition, and I wish Linda and our entire team much
success.”
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Paula for her
leadership and countless contributions to J.Jill over the past ten
years,” said Michael Rahamim, Chairman of the Board. “Under Paula’s
leadership and vision, J.Jill executed a profitable turnaround and
grew into a premier omnichannel brand with exceptional customer
loyalty and a strong operational foundation. This ultimately led to
our successful IPO in March of 2017 despite a challenging retail
environment. Over the past year Paula has guided the team through
its transition to a public company, and the Board is grateful for
her dedication and commitment to J.Jill.” Mr. Rahamim continued,
“As we look forward to the company’s next phase of growth, we are
excited to have Linda, a well-respected retail industry veteran,
lead the team. With Linda’s tremendous leadership experience,
outstanding track record of delivering results for women’s apparel
businesses and a passion for the customer, the Board is confident
that she is the right leader to build on the strong foundation
Paula and the team have created.”
“From my time on the Board and throughout my career, I have
gained great respect and admiration for the unique relationship
that J.Jill has with its customers as well as for its outstanding
business model, and I am honored to assume this new role,” said Ms.
Heasley. “This company has a long track record of success, and it
holds tremendous potential for continued growth for years to come.
I look forward to working with the strong team that is in place to
delight current and new customers and position the company for the
future.”
Ms. Heasley has served on the Board of J.Jill since March 2017
and most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of The Honey
Baked Ham Company, LLC since February 2017. Prior to joining
HoneyBaked Ham, she served as Chief Executive Officer and President
of Lane Bryant, Inc., a leading specialty size apparel brand, from
2013 to 2017, and is widely credited with revitalizing the brand.
Ms. Heasley also previously served as the Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer at Limited Stores LLC from 2007 to 2013,
and is credited with returning the company to what was sustained
profitability for the first time in 17 years by revamping product
lines, launching the company’s e-commerce sites, commissioning a
new store design and inaugurating a new national advertising
campaign. She also previously held senior leadership roles at CVS
Health Corporation, Timberland LLC, Bath and Body Works and L
Brands, Inc., and she has been on the Board of Directors of Sally
Beauty Holdings, Inc. since May 2017. Ms. Heasley holds a B.A.
degree from Harvard University and earned her M.B.A. from the John
Anderson School of Management, UCLA.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year Fiscal 2017 Results
Separately, this morning, the Company issued its Fourth Quarter
and Full Year Fiscal 2017 results and will hold a conference call
today, March 15, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Those interested
in participating in the call are invited to dial (844) 579-6824 or
(763) 488-9145 if calling internationally. Please dial in
approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call and
reference Conference ID 5491018 when prompted. A live audio webcast
of the conference call will be available online at
http://investors.jjill.com/Investors-Relations/News-Events.
A taped replay of the conference call will be available
approximately two hours following the live call and can be accessed
both online and by dialing (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406. The
pin number to access the telephone replay is 5491018. The telephone
replay will be available until Thursday, March 22, 2018.
About J.Jill, Inc.
J.Jill is a premier omnichannel retailer and nationally
recognized women’s apparel brand committed to delighting customers
with great wear-now product. The brand represents an easy, relaxed,
inspired style that reflects the confidence and comfort of a woman
with a rich, full life. J.Jill offers a guiding customer experience
through more than 270 stores nationwide and a robust e-commerce
platform. J.Jill is headquartered outside Boston. For more
information, please visit www.JJill.com. The information included
on our website is not incorporated by reference herein.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains, and oral statements made from time
to time by our representatives may contain, “forward-looking
statements.” Forward-looking statements include statements under
“Outlook” and other statements identified by words such as “could,”
“may,” “might,” “will,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “intends,”
“plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “continues,”
“projects” and similar references to future periods, or by the
inclusion of forecasts or projections. Forward-looking statements
are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding
capital market conditions, our business, the economy and other
future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the
future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent
uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are
difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results may differ
materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking
statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements
include regional, national or global political, economic, business,
competitive, market and regulatory conditions, including risk
regarding, our ability to manage inventory or anticipate consumer
demand; changes in consumer confidence and spending; our
competitive environment; our failure to open new profitable stores
or successfully enter new markets and other factors set forth under
“Risk Factors” in the Form 10K. Any forward-looking statement made
in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is
made. J.Jill undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise
any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future developments or otherwise.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180315005242/en/
ICR, Inc.Investors:Caitlin Morahan/Joseph Teklits,
203-682-8200investors@jjill.comorMedia:Alecia Pulman/Kate
Kohlbrenner, 203-682-8224jillpr@icrinc.com
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