Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. stated that Richard A. Johnson, executive vice president, will retire after a 46-year career with Big 5 Sporting Goods.
“We want to sincerely thank Rich for his many years of dedicated service and for his invaluable contributions to our Company,” said Steven G. Miller, the company’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “During his long tenure at Big 5 Sporting Goods, Rich’s unwavering commitment to efficiency and sound execution throughout our business played a significant role in not only the growth and success of our Company, but also our remarkable culture. As a result, we have a strong store operations team in place and ready to take the Company to new levels of success. We wish Rich all the best in his retirement.”
Johnson said, “Although I look forward to the prospects of life in retirement, I will always look back, with pride, at our many accomplishments throughout my 46 years as a member of the Big 5 family. Being an integral part of such a success-oriented team has been a pleasure for me in its entirety.”
Johnson had been EVP since March 2007. Previously, he served as senior vice president, store operations since 1992. Prior to that, Johnson was vice president, store operations since 1982.
As part of the transition following Johnson’s retirement, the company announced the promotion of Michael P. Marrone to serve as senior vice president of store operations. Marrone began his career with Big 5 Sporting Goods in 1973 as a store sales associate. He held numerous leadership roles of increasing responsibility at the company, including store manager, district supervisor, assistant vice president, vice president and division supervisor, and was named vice president of store operations in 2002.
“Mike is uniquely qualified to assume this role,” said Miller. “With over 40 years of experience at Big 5 Sporting Goods, he has an in-depth understanding of all aspects of our business. Mike will assume the majority of Rich’s strategic leadership responsibilities, with the remainder absorbed by other members of the senior management team.”
The company also announced the promotions of Michael J. Shinagawa, vice president and chief information officer, and Luke D. Thompson, vice president, corporate counsel and assistant secretary, to the position of senior vice president. Shinagawa has 20 years of experience in the company’s management information systems (MIS) department and has led that function as vice president, MIS, since 2005. He became chief information officer earlier this year. Thompson has 14 years of experience in the company’s legal department and has been vice president, corporate counsel and assistant secretary since 2006. These promotions recognize outstanding performance and Shinagawa’s and Thompson’s contributions to the continued growth of the company’s business.
Big 5 is a leading sporting goods retailer in the western United States, operating 435 stores under the “Big 5 Sporting Goods” name as of the fiscal quarter ended July 3, 2016.
