New management hired at The Merc

Posted 4/12/11

The action came less than two weeks after the termination of Joanne Anderson, who had managed the store since June 2010.

In announcing the hirings, the board said it believes the new management structure will enhance the company’s prospects for …

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New management hired at The Merc

Posted

The Merc board of directors moved quickly last week to employ a new manager and reorganize the management structure of the store.

Lesli Walsh Spencer will take over as store manager April 18, while Leslie Slater Wilson, who is currently acting as interim manager, will continue with the store as merchandise manager. According to board chairman Sharon Earhart, the new arrangement moves the responsibility for merchandising from the store manager to the buyer. Spencer will be responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of the store, while Wilson will be responsible for merchandise presentation and marketing as well as buying for the store.

The action came less than two weeks after the termination of Joanne Anderson, who had managed the store since June 2010.

In announcing the hirings, the board said it believes the new management structure will enhance the company’s prospects for long-term growth and profitability, and Earhart said the experience brought to the store by Wilson “really opened some opportunities” for managing the store.

Spencer is a Powell High School graduate who has experience in both retail and customer service. She is currently a mortgage consultant at Wells Fargo Bank in Powell and has worked in retail clothing at Maurices.

Wilson retired from JC Penney in 2001 after more than 20 years with the company. At her retirement she was managing the store in Bellevue, Neb., and she also served for a time as Northwest regional merchandise manager, providing support and leadership for management teams of 200 JC Penney stores.

Both Spencer and Wilson say they are excited about their new positions.

“I look forward to working with the new merchandise manager and the current staff to present the very best in clothing options to our community,” Spencer said. “It is very exciting to be a part of this home-grown store.”

Wilson called her new job an opportunity to reconnect with her background in retail clothing.

“The Merc is a fantastic retail clothing store, and I am thrilled to be a part of it,” Wilson said.

Sharon Earhart, president of The Merc board of directors, said the board was “extremely pleased” to have Wilson and Spencer on board.

“They each bring unique attributes and qualifications to their respective positions and together will offer our community the best in family fashion with top-notch customer service,” Earhart said.

The Powell Mercantile Inc. was incorporated in 2001 and opened in July 2002. The retail clothing store is owned by more than 500 shareholders and is managed by a five-member board of directors.

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