Longtime JCPenney executive Ken Mangone is retiring after a career spanning more than 39 years. Mangone returned served his second stint at the retailer as part of a rebuilding team that former CEO Mike Ullman formed help stabilize the company after Ron Johnson’s tumultuous attempt to redefine the department store.
Ken Mangone, executive vice president of product development design and sourcing, has been responsible for driving the success of the Company’s private and exclusive brands, overseeing brand development, trend, design and sourcing. Mangone also oversaw global sourcing and quality control organizations, as well as managing relationships with key partners overseas.
Joining JCPenney in 1977, Mangone has held various positions of increasing responsibility within merchandising and product development. Over his tenure at the Company, he has helped elevate private brands to be among the largest and most successful in the industry. Furthermore, he played key roles in the development of the Company’s central sourcing strategy, prior to the launch of the sourcing organization in 1998. Under Mangone’s leadership, JCPenney expanded its in-house design talent from a team of 50 to a team of 200 textile, technical and fashion designers.
Mangone, retires on April 1. Val Harris becomes senior vice president of product development and design. She is being promoted from vice president of product development.
She has served 30 years at the company and has worked on many of Penney’s private brands. She will be responsible for a team of 200 designers split between Plano and New York. She will report to John Tighe, executive vice president and chief merchant.
