Myron E. Ullman

American businessman (1946–2024)

Cathy Emmons
​
(m. 1969)​
Children6

Myron Edward "Mike" Ullman III (November 26, 1946 – August 6, 2024) was an American businessman. During his career, he led Macy's and was the chairman and CEO of J. C. Penney.[1][2] Ullman served as Penney's CEO twice: first from December 2004 through October 2011, when he was succeeded by Ron Johnson, and then again after Johnson's departure, from April 2013 through July 2015 when Ullman stepped down.[3][4]

Background

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, on November 26, 1946,[5] Ullman had six siblings, and his parents were residents of Canfield, Ohio, where he grew up.[6][7] He attended the University of Cincinnati and graduated in 1969; later that year, he married Cathy Emons, with whom he would go on to have six children.[6][8]

Career

Ullman began his career at IBM and went on to work at the University of Cincinnati as its vice president for business affairs.[6] In the 1980s, he worked for Federated Department Stores and Hong Kong's Wharf Holdings.[6]

Ullman served as a White House Fellow in the Office of the United States Trade Representative in 1981-82.

Ullman joined Macy's in 1988 and was its CEO from 1992 to 1995.[6] Thereafter, he spent a stint at DFS Group, during which it was acquired by LVMH.[6] He then began his stints at J. C. Penney, during which he sought to differentiate it from its competition by embracing higher-end brands.[6]

On June 26, 2018, Ullman succeeded Howard Schultz as Chairman of Starbucks Corporation.[9] He held that position until 2021.[6]

Health and death

Ullman had a neurological disorder which gradually limited his mobility.[6] He adapted to this by often using a Segway.[6]

Ullman died on August 6, 2024, at the age of 77, from complications of cancer and Alzheimer's disease.[6] Sources differed on whether he died at his home in Montrose, Colorado,[10] or a hospice in Grand Junction, Colorado.[6]

References

  1. ^ Vicki M. Young (November 21, 2013). "J.C. Penney's Ullman Touts Progress". WWD. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  2. ^ "Myron Ullman profile". Forbes. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  3. ^ Halkias, Maria (July 31, 2015). "Ullman Steps Down, Again, As Penney CEO". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  4. ^ Lublin, Joann; Mattioli, Dana (April 8, 2013). "Penney CEO Out, Old Boss Back In". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  5. ^ "Bio Box: Penney CEO Mike Ullman". The Associated Press. November 19, 2009. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Rosenwald, Michael S. (August 22, 2024). "Myron E. Ullman III, Executive Who Remade Macy's, Dies at 77". The New York Times. p. A21. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  7. ^ "Obituary : Myron E. Ullman, 83". 4.vindy.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  8. ^ "Mr. Myron E. Ullman - Gordon College". Gordon.edu. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  9. ^ "Howard Schultz, architect of modern Starbucks, to step down as executive chair and from the board". cnbc.com. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  10. ^ Moin, David (August 7, 2024). "Executive Myron 'Mike' Ullman 3rd, Who Turned Around JCPenney and Helped Grow LVMH, Dies at 77". Women's Wear Daily. Yahoo! Finance. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
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  • J. C. Penney Building (Anchorage, Alaska)
  • J. C. Penney Building (Newberg, Oregon)
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  • J. C. Penney Building (Shoshone, Idaho)
  • J. C. Penney Building (Tucson, Arizona)
  • J. C. Penney Historic District
  • J. C. Penney House