Target taps new chief information officer

The executive Target Corp. hired last spring to restructure its technology operation after the company-rattling data breach is leaving.

Bob DeRodes, 64, is retiring as chief information officer "after playing a pivotal role in guiding Target's information efforts," the company said Tuesday.

In his place, the company hired Mike McNamara, 50, who has worked at British supermarket chain Tesco PLC for more than 15 years. He will report directly to Target CEO Brian Cornell, who was hired in August after the breach and other troubles led to the ouster of previous leader Gregg Steinhafel.

"It's clear that Cornell and the new leadership is really moving forward with trying to stabilize and secure who is running the company and who is in charge," said Amy Koo, an analyst with Kantar Retail.

In a news release, Target noted that McNamara helped modernize Tesco's IT and global supply chain, implemented in-store technologies such as "scan-as-you-shop" ­capabilities and launched an innovation lab. McNamara also led Tesco's technology office in India, a country where Target also has IT operations.

"He will be somebody to bounce ideas off of, somebody who was been there," Koo said.

One of Cornell's top priorities has been enhancing ­Target's digital operations. "Technology is critical for ­Target's future success," Cornell said in a statement. "So finding the right leader for this role was one of my ­absolute top priorities."

Tim Mantel, the retailer's senior vice president of groceries, resigned. Spencer Johnson, vice president of finance and credit services, announced his retirement. And Jocelyn Anderson, a vice president in apparel, left after her position was combined with another.

Dustee Jenkins, a Target spokeswoman, said the turnover was not part of a major reorganization and reflected the churn of positions that is routine around the end of the retailer's fiscal year, which was last week.

"It is common at this time of year to see us make changes to the officers," Jenkins said.

DeRodes last April succeeded Beth Jacob, who resigned a short time after cyberthieves accessed ­Target's point-of-sale systems and stole the personal and financial information of tens of millions of customers.

DeRodes at the time was running his own IT consulting firm that had several corporate and government clients. He previously held senior technology roles at Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, Citibank and First Data.

"Bob joined Target during a very challenging but important moment for the company," Cornell said in a statement. "I'm grateful for the progress that Bob and his team have made, and for the foundational IT work that's been done to set Target up for future success."

Target said neither De­Rodes nor McNamara was available for an interview.

DeRodes will continue to serve for a short period in an advisory role at Target. McNamara, who is moving to the Twin Cities from England, will join Target later this year.

In the meantime, the IT department will be led by Maiorino; Jim Fisher, senior vice president of technology services; and Navneet Kapoor, president of Target India.

Kavita Kumar • 612-673-4113