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Kohl's names new executive Chawla as possible CEO candidate

Kohl's names new chief operating officer Chawla possible candidate to become next CEO


MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. (AP) -- Kohl's has named former Walgreens executive Sona Chawla chief operating officer and also said its newest leader is a longer-term candidate to become CEO.

The department store operator said Tuesday that Chawla will join the company Nov. 30 and report to Chairman and CEO Kevin Mansell, who has led Kohl's as CEO since 2008 and chairman since 2009. Kohl's identified Chawla and Chief Merchandising and Customer Officer Michelle Gass as potential candidates for the company's long-term CEO-succession planning.

Chawla will oversee all store operations, including the company's logistics and supply chain network, its planning and operations and store construction and design.

The executive spent seven years at Walgreens, where she served as president of the company's e-commerce business and chief marketing office. Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. runs the largest drugstore chain in the United States. Before Walgreens, Chawla served as Dell Inc.'s vice president of global online business.

Kohl's runs 1,166 stores in 49 states. The Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-based company said last week that a strong back-to-school season, helped it post better-than-expected results for the third quarter.

Shares of Kohl's Corp. climbed 11 cents to $44.05 Tuesday morning, while broader indexes also rose slightly.