14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is actively looking to hire someone to continue the work of its SVP of Retail Operations, Ron Johnson, who will be taking up the position of CEO at JC Penney in November, reports indicate.
In June, an Apple spokesperson had confirmed Johnson’s planned departure in a statement, saying “Ron is excited about this opportunity and we hope it goes well for him. We’ve got a great retail team in place and are actively recruiting for his replacement.”
Although Apple's VP of Retail Jerry McDougal may have enough experience to fill in for Johnson, if only temporarily, the Mac maker is looking elsewhere for a replacement.
In fact, it’s looking everywhere but its own back yard, according to various reports.
The Cupertino tech giant has reportedly hired Egon Zehnder International, one of the top five global executive search firms, to scan the entire planet for a potential new Apple retail chief.
Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, is said to have been personally involved in the decision to start recruiting via Egon Zehnder.
Jobs has been on medical leave of absence since January and is said to have somewhat detached himself from the company as he prepares to resign himself. Such talk, however, is subject to debate.
Johnson, however, is dead serious about resigning and becoming the CEO of J.C Penney, a chain of American mid-range department stores based in Plano, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas.
The high-ups at JC Penney confirmed the move in a news report issued June 14, 2011, saying that Johnson had committed to make a personal investment of $50 million in the company through the purchase of seven 1/2-year warrants on 7.257 million shares.
At the time, Mr. Johnson was quoted as saying, "I've always dreamed of leading a major retail company as CEO, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help J. C. Penney re-imagine what I believe to be the single greatest opportunity in American retailing today, the Department Store.”
“I have tremendous confidence in J. C. Penney's future and look forward to working with Mike Ullman, the Executive Board and the Company's 150,000 associates to transform the way America shops," Johnson said in June.