As part of its ongoing effort to reduce expenses, Borders has eliminated several top management positions as well as a number of employees who held the director title at different divisions. Among those leaving the company are Ken Armstrong, executive v-p of U.S. Stores, and Susan Harwood, senior v-p and CIO. Both Armstrong and Harwood have been at Borders since 2007 and were brought in by former Borders CEO George Jones. Armstrong’s duties will be assumed by Steve Davis, senior v-p of operations, while Dan Smith, recently named chief administrative officer, will take over Harwood’s functions. In addition, Kevin Ertell, senior v-p, e-business, who oversaw the re-launch of Borders.com as an e-commerce site, is leaving the company, with Rich Fahle overseeing Borders’s online presence. Fahle, who had been v-p, content, has been appointed v-p, Borders.com.
Borders CEO Ron Marshall said the consolidation of the various management positions “will help us be more agile and at the same time advance us toward our expense reduction goals.”
Other positions being eliminated at the v-p level are in real estate, human resources services and creative. In addition, Fred Boehler, senior v-p logistics, has announced that he is leaving the company. Borders said the business areas affected “will continue to be supported by existing personnel as functions are consolidated under the revised business structure.”
The 10 director spots being cut include the roles of sales director and Waldenbooks Specialty Retail regional director as well as director posts in the Paperchase, merchandise strategy, merchandise planning and replenishment, and national events marketing departments.
