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Joseph R. Ettore is a seasoned business executive with wide-ranging expertise in the mass retail industry. Over a professional career spanning 40 years, Joe has successfully managed companies in various sectors of the retail arena in capacities ranging from CEO, President, and Chairman of the Board.
Recently as President and Chief Executive Officer, Joe led the successful merchandising turnaround and continued improvement in operating performance of Ames Department Stores, Inc. In addition to re-energizing 30,000 associates, establishing a core customer focus, updating stores, and upgrading logistic initiatives and point-of-sale systems, Joe developed the 55 Golf Savings Card, a unique program offering special discounts for customers 55 and older. His innovation resulted in Ames Department Stores receiving the Discount Store News Award and Discounters in Service to the Community Award (DISC).
Joe is also responsible for the strategic turnaround of Jamesway Corporation. As President and Chief Executive Officer, Joe developed strategic initiatives, closed underperforming stores and strengthened partnerships with suppliers to emerge this discount department store chain from bankruptcy.
Joe initially earned his reputation as a retail turnaround expert during his role as Chief Executive Officer of Stuarts Department Stores, Inc. Originally brought in as Chief Operating Officer to reorganize the business which was in Chapter 11, Joe re-focused strategy initiatives to meet the changing retail environment and led Stuarts from bankruptcy to profitability in 22 months.
Joe currently holds a place on several Board of Directors committees and serves as a Senior Executive Advisor to a variety of retail corporations. Joe served as Chairman of the International Mass Retail Association (IMRA), the leading industry trade group which represents suppliers, vendors and 210 mass retailers, for three terms. He holds a Bachelor of Science from St. Peters College - Jersey City, NJ.
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