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LIST OF CEOS & PRESIDENTS OF JCPENNEY
- James Cash Penney (1902-1946)
- Albert Hughes (1946-1958)
- William M. Batten (1958-1964)
- William A. Coughran (1964-1974)
- Donald Seiber (1974-1984)
- J. Carter Bacot (1984-1989)
- William R. Howell (1989-1995)
- James E. Oesterreicher (1995-2000)
- Allen Questrom (2000-2004)
- Myron “Mike” Ullman III (2004-2011)
- Ron Johnson (2011-2013)
- Myron “Mike” Ullman III (2013-2015)
- Marvin Ellison (2015-2018)
- Jill Soltau (2018-2020)
- Stanley Shashoua (2021)
- Marc Rosen (2021-Present)
JAMES CASH PENNEY (FOUNDER OF JCPENNEY)
1902-1946
James Cash Penney founded the Golden Rule store in Wyoming in 1902. During America’s retail awakening, Penny built it into a nationwide chain based on Christian values and fair dealing. That retail awakening is charted in full on our retail history timeline, which places Penney’s 1902 debut among the era’s other fixed-price pioneers.
ALBERT HUGHES
1946-1958
Albert Hughes led during the post-war economic booms and modernized JCPenney’s operations. He expanded the store’s merchandise, helping it become popular with the middle class.
WILLIAM M. BATTEN
1958-1964
Known for introducing the JCPenny credit card, William M. Batten transitioned the company’s cash-only model into one that embraced new consumer technologies.
WILLIAM A. COUGHRAN
1964-1974
William A. Coughran steered the retail giant through the counter-cultural revolution. He expanded distribution to meet growing demand and was known for his operational stability during the volatility of the Vietnam War.
DONALD SEIBER
1974-1984
Donald Seiber had to deal with stagflation and the energy crisis. He kept JCPenney’s market position during an economically turbulent decade that took many retailers to the brink.
J. CARTER BACOT
1984-1989
By embracing the information age, J. Carter Bacot installed computer systems across stores, laying the technological foundations for future growth during the Reagan-era retail boom.
WILLIAM R. HOWELL
1989-1995
William R. Howell executed a painful but necessary restructuring of the company. Howell cut costs during the early ’90s recession. He also successfully waved off newer discount rivals that popped up in the decade.
JAMES E. OESTERREICHER
1995-2000
Best known for launching jcp.com, James E. Oesterreicher understood the approaching e-commerce revolution before many traditional rivals.
ALLEN QUESTROM
2000-2004
Allen Questrom maintained a stable hand through strategic store closures and debt reduction, including the pivotal $4.5 billion Eckerd pharmacy chain divestiture, which refocused the company on its core retail operations.
MYRON “MIKE” ULLMAN III
2013-2015
Myron “Mike” Ullman III is best known for his Sephora partnerships during his first tenure. With strategic in-store partnerships, he steered the company to calmer waters in the 2008 financial crisis and its retail aftershocks.
RON JOHNSON
2011-2013
During his brief tenure, Ron Johnson masterminded a radical “everyday low price” strategy that backfired spectacularly, alienating core customers and sending sales plummeting 25% despite his Apple retail pedigree.
MYRON “MIKE” ULLMAN III
2013-2015
Returning, Myron “Mike” Ullman III had to reverse Johnson’s failed initiatives, reinstating discounts and promotions beloved by the JCPenney customer base while working to rebuild shattered consumer trust.
MARVIN ELLISON
2015-2018
Marvin Ellison attempted revitalization by returning to appliance sales and enhancing customer experiences. But he ditched the company within a couple of years to go to its competitor, Lowe’s.
JILL SOLTAU
2018-2020
As JCPenney’s first female CEO, Jill Soltau faced the challenge of guiding the company through COVID-19 and into Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
STANLEY SHASHOUA
2021
Stanley Shashoua briefly helmed the ship during a critical transition period in 2021, preparing the foundation for new ownership under Simon Property Group as JCPenney emerged from bankruptcy with an uncertain future.
MARC ROSEN
2021-Present
Today, Marc Rosen directs JCPenney’s post-bankruptcy renaissance as its current retail CEO with a billion-dollar store modernization plan. He brings Levi’s and Walmart experience to reimagine the legacy brand for today’s multi-channel retail landscape.
The same department-store squeeze ran through Macy’s in these decades, while Dollar General climbed at the opposite end of the price ladder.
