Belk names new CEO, as iconic NC department store chain sues its former leader
Belk has a new CEO, the company’s third since last summer.
Don Hendricks is the Charlotte-based department store chain’s chief executive officer, effective immediately, Belk said late Friday.
In May, Hendricks was named interim CEO following Nir Patel’s unexpected departure after less than a year in the role. That same month, Patel was appointed chief operating officer for video game store chain GameStop Corp.
Patel had replaced Lisa Harper, who was CEO since 2016, just months after Belk left Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Harper was the company’s first CEO outside of the Belk family. She remains on Belk’s board of directors, according to the news release.
Three weeks ago, Belk filed a lawsuit against Patel, GameStop and former senior vice president of supply chain Tim May accusing them of stealing its employees and payroll information, according to federal court documents.
More about Belk’s new CEO
Hendricks joined Belk in 2016 as chief operating officer before adding stores to his responsibilities in 2019 and being named president in 2020. He previously worked at Gymboree, Hot Topic and Torrid in roles such as chief information officer and chief operating officer.
“I believe the company is well positioned to build on its current momentum and achieve success,” Hendricks said in a statement.
Hendricks was “instrumental in leading the company through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Belk said in a news release.
Belk changes since bankruptcy
Along with top leadership changes, Belk has made other moves since emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February 2021. The iconic Southern department store planned to restructure and eliminate $450 million of debt.
In December 2020, Belk said it would invest $2.5 million to upgrade its Blythewood, S.C., distribution center over the next five years, The State newspaper in Columbia reported.
Last year, Belk said it would sublease its corporate office on Tyvola Road where about 1,200 employees worked.
In February, Belk added more diverse-owned and inclusive home, apparel, beauty and accessories to its Culture Shop in stores and online.
This year, Belk closed its Jonesville, S.C., fulfillment center at 3805 Furman L. Fendley Highway cutting 310 jobs from April 30 to May 28, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
Last month, Texas-based Conn’s home goods retailer opened its first store within a store pilot at five Belk locations, including one in Charlotte at Northlake Mall.
The 134-year-old chain has nearly 300 locations in 16 Southeastern states. In 2015, the Belk family sold the company to private equity firm Sycamore Partners for $3 billion.
Belk has about 17,000 full- and part-time workers at its stores and distribution center.
This story was originally published September 12, 2022 at 7:44 AM with the headline "Belk names new CEO, as iconic NC department store chain sues its former leader."