Zale Corp. on Tuesday said Rodney Carter, chief financial officer, has left the company effective immediately. Cindy Gordon has assumed the role of interim CFO while a search of internal and external candidates is conducted for Carter’s replacement.

Gordon will continue to serve in her current role as controller of the company.

“We want to thank Rodney for all his contributions and we wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Neal Goldberg, Zale chief executive officer.

Carter has been the chief administrative officer and executive vice president of Zale Corp., since September 2007 and as its CFO since October 2006. Previously, Carter served as a group senior vice president of Zale Corp., from October 2006, to September 2007.

Gordon has served as controller at Zale since February 2003. She began her career at Zale in October 1994, and has held various management positions including vice president of Corporate Planning and senior director of Investor Relations. Prior to Zale, Gordon held financial positions with A Pea in the Pod, a maternity retailer, and with Ernst and Young LLP.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of Cindy’s caliber and experience to serve as our interim chief financial officer,” Goldberg said.

JCK