Foot Locker announced that Rick Mina has been promoted to a newly created position of President and CEO of Foot Locker, Inc., U.S.A. He will report to Matt Serra, Foot Locker, Inc.’s President and CEO. Mina will be responsible for the company’s U.S. retail store divisions — Foot Locker/Kids Foot Locker, Lady Footlocker and Champs Sports.

“Rick has done an outstanding job in managing our Champs Sports division, significantly growing its sales and profits,” stated Matthew D. Serra, Z President and CEO.

Mina had been President and CEO of Champs Sports since 1999. During his three-year tenure in this position, Champs Sports sales grew approximately $135 million and operating results improved by over $80 million. Prior to this position, Mina was President, Foot Locker Europe and was cited as instrumental in building the infrastructure and organization that allowed this division to grow.

To backfill the management pipeline, Foot Locker promoted Ron Halls to the position of President & CEO, Champs Sports, reporting to Mina. Halls was previously the Chief Operating Officer, Champs Sports. Prior to joining Champs, Halls was CEO of Canterbury Limited, located in New Zealand.

Reporting to Halls will be Marla Anderson, who was named EVP Merchandising, Champs Sports. Ms. Anderson was most recently VP/DMM for Footwear at Champs. She has held similar merchandising positions at both Federated Department Stores and The May Department Stores Company.


>>>> So Mina wins the internal Battle of the Titans. With Serra’s employment agreement calling for him to be appointed COB this spring, does Mina’s promotion signal a succession plan?