- Lowe’s announced new titles for five internal executives to sharpen its Total Home strategy, including a new Chief Information and AI Officer role that signals a growing focus on technology.
- Kroger hired Walmart veteran Mark Ibbotson to lead store operations, the latest in a string of leadership changes since Greg Foran became CEO in February 2026.
- Academy Sports and Outdoors named Matt Pasch as Chief People Officer to support its HR and talent strategy across more than 300 stores in 21 states.
Three major U.S. retailers just reshuffled their top ranks. Lowe’s promoted a slate of leaders to sharpen its Total Home strategy, Kroger brought in a Walmart veteran to run store operations and Academy Sports and Outdoors named a new Chief People Officer. Here’s a rundown of who’s moving where, and what each change signals about where these companies are headed.
Lowe’s Promotes Five Executives to Fuel Its Total Home Strategy
Lowe’s Companies announced a series of executive officer appointments, all effective Sept. 1. Most of these changes involve shifting existing leaders into new roles or refining their titles rather than bringing in fresh faces.
The company named five executives to key positions:
- Joseph M. McFarland III, former EVP, Stores, is now EVP, Pro and Home Services.
- Quonta D. Vance, former EVP, Pro and Home Services, is now EVP, Stores.
- Seemantini Godbole, previously EVP, Chief Digital and Information Officer, is now EVP, Chief Information and AI Officer.
- Adam D. Filipponi, formerly SVP, Finance and Corporate Strategy, is now EVP, Strategy and Business Development.
- Jennifer E. Wilson, previously SVP, Chief Marketing Officer, is now EVP, Chief Marketing Officer.
The updates are part of Lowe’s Total Home Strategy, according to documents filed with the SEC. Over the past several years, the company has poured investment into Pro, digital, loyalty, fulfillment, Home Services and other areas. As those capabilities have grown, Lowe’s believes the new appointments will connect its operations more effectively, create clearer accountability and speed up execution on its biggest growth opportunities. Adding AI to Godbole’s title is notable. Lowe’s has heavily invested in AI with tools such as its Mylow resource for customers and and Mylow Companion for customer associates.
Kroger Names Mark Ibbotson to Lead Store Operations
Kroger announced on Sept. 2 that Mark Ibbotson will join as EVP and Chief Store Operations Officer, effective Sept. 14.
Ibbotson brings decades of large-scale retail experience, according to a news release. He spent years at Walmart and its former U.K. subsidiary Asda, where he earned a reputation as an operations specialist and omnichannel innovator. At Asda, he rose from Loss Prevention Director to Chief Operating Officer, overseeing hundreds of stores and expanding the company’s ecommerce capabilities. At Walmart U.S., he was EVP of Central Operations and Realty, helping lead the rollout of pickup and delivery services that anchored Walmart’s omnichannel push. Since leaving Walmart in 2020, he’s advised retail and technology companies and served as a senior advisor at McKinsey and Company.
“Mark has done this work at scale, and he has done it exceptionally well,” said Greg Foran, CEO of Kroger, in a statement. “He knows what it takes to simplify complex operations, bring out the best in frontline teams, and build the digital and physical capabilities that win with customers.”
Ibbotson’s arrival is the latest in a string of executive shifts at Kroger. The turnover picked up after former Walmart U.S. CEO Greg Foran took the helm February 2026.
Since then, the company has seen plenty of movement, with SVP Valerie Jabbar retiring after 38 years with the company; Global VP Jamie Lancaster departing after 18 years; former SVP of Retail Divisions Joe Kelley moving to COO at Associated Wholesale Grocers in April; and longtime Chief People Officer Tim Massa announing his retirement. To fill Massa’s shoes, Kroger tapped Emilee De Martino as EVP and Chief People Officer in July.
Kroger has been busy on the deal front too. After Foran laid out his growth plan on the Q1 earnings call, the company announced plans to buy regional grocer Giant Eagle for $1.65 billion, its largest acquisition attempt since the failed Albertsons merger.
Academy Sports + Outdoors Appoints Matt Pasch as Chief People Officer
Academy Sports + Outdoors named Matthew “Matt” M. Pasch as EVP and Chief People Officer on Sept. 3.
In the role, Pasch will oversee Academy’s talent strategy, human resources and communications across its corporate offices, distribution centers and retail operations. He reports directly to CEO Steve Lawrence and succeeds William “Bill” S. Ennis, who recently retired.
Pasch comes to Academy from Burlington, where he most recently served as EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer. During his tenure there, he held several senior HR roles spanning merchandising, marketing, strategy, corporate support, distribution and supply chain.
Academy has grown considerably since its founding as a Texas family business in 1938. Today it runs more than 300 stores across 21 states, guided by its “Fun for All” mission.
