Aylwin Lewis named Sears Holdings CEO

Jet, Oct 3, 2005

Sears Holdings Corp., the nation's third-largest retailer, recently named Aylwin B. Lewis as its first Black chief executive officer and president.

Lewis, 50, replaces Alan J. Lacy, who will continue to serve as vice chairman and a director. In his new post Lewis will be responsible for the company's 3,900 stores as well as home services, finance, legal, supply chain, information technology and human resources.

Sears Holdings was formed through Kmart Holding's acquisition of Sears, Roebuck & Co. in March of this year.

Previously, Lewis served as a director and the CEO and president of Kmart (JET, Nov. 8, 2004). Prior to joining Kmart, Lewis was president, chief multibranding and operating officer of YUM! Brands, Inc., a franchisor and licensor of quick service restaurants including KFC, Long John Silvers, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. He is also a director of Halliburton Company and the Walt Disney Company.

Lewis received dual bachelor degrees from the University of Houston in 1976 in both business management and English literature and an MBA from the University of Houston in 1990.