Management changes at Zale Corp.

Sue E. Gove has been promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer of Zale Corp., Dallas. She replaces Alan P. Shor, who resigned as president and chief operating officer. In addition, Mary L. Forte will assume the title of president. All of these changes were announced in two statements on Friday, July 12.

The company already announced in May that Forte will be named chairman and CEO on July 31, replacing Robert J. DiNicola who will retire from the company on that day.

Gove, who has served as chief financial officer of the company since December 1997, will continue to retain that title, the company said. In addition to her current responsibilities, she will oversee distribution, real estate, and management information systems for Zale and will report to Forte.

During the past 18 months, Gove has integrated the credit operation, brought the expense structure in line, consolidated and standardized the merchandise quality assurance function and led the company’s initiative in generating productivity improvements, Zale said in a statement.

Gove began her career with Zale in 1980 in the accounting department. Since that time she has held numerous financial and operational positions within the company, at the divisional and corporate levels.

“Over the course of her 22-year career here at Zale, Sue has consistently demonstrated a solid grasp and a strong working knowledge of the business, DiNicola said. “She is highly respected, both internally and externally as a capable leader who has proven herself at every level.”

The company also noted that Forte, in her new role as president, will have responsibility for the human resources and legal departments.

In announcing his resignation, Shor, 43, cited a desire to pursue new interests consistent with his training and background.

“I have spent the last seven years working with a talented management team in executing a major retail turnaround,” Shor said. “These efforts have been exciting and successful, and I feel that the time is right for me to look to the next challenge in my career. I will always reflect with great satisfaction on everything that we were able to accomplish here at Zale.”

Shor joined Zale in 1995 as its senior vice president and general counsel. He has been president and a member of the Board of Directors since August 2000.

During his tenure, the company said, Shor assumed additional responsibilities such as real estate, management information systems, distribution, support operations, and human resources.

Shor also played a key role in helping to reposition Zale’s portfolio of businesses. Some of these strategic accomplishments include the sales of the company’s credit operations and lease operations, and the acquisitions of Piercing Pagoda and Peoples Jewellers of Canada, the company said.

“Alan has made a significant contribution to the success of Zale Corp. over the course of the last seven years, DiNicola said. “His strategic thinking, his integrity, and his commitment to making Zale one of the finest specialty retailers in the business was second to none. We will miss Alan’s insight and counsel, but we respect his decision and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Zale Corp. is North America’s largest specialty retailer of fine jewelry operating in more than 2,300 retail locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, as well as online. Zale Corp.n’s business units include Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Zale Direct at www.zales.com, Gordon’s Jewelers, Bailey Banks & Biddle Fine Jewelers, Peoples Jewellers, Mappins Jewellers, and Piercing Pagoda.

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