Whitehall Jewellers Names New COO

Sears, Roebuck and Co Senior Vice President and General Manager Lucinda M. Baier has been appointed as President and Chief Operating Officer of Whitehall Jewellers.

Baier has a strong retail background, with management responsibility for finance as well as operations, merchandising and marketing.

“Cindy has a proven track record in the retail business and will play a significant role in developing and executing plans for long-term growth as a member of our executive team," said Hugh M. Patinkin, Chairman and CEO.

She held senior positions at major retail corporations, including US Office Products, several Fortune 500 corporations and Arthur Andersen.

Whitehall has been going through a string of senior management changes over the past year, an inquiry by federal authorities and legal proceedings over Capital Factors’ claim it was defrauded by several companies, naming Whitehall in a lawsuit.