WASHINGTON – The National Retail Federation today announced the retirement of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Carleen Kohut. After nearly 20 years of service to NRF, Kohut will retire on October 15. As part of the organization’s succession plan, NRF’s Controller Zahilys Hernandez is being promoted to chief financial officer and Vice President of Technology Jason Hoolsema is being promoted to chief information officer.
“During her time here, Carleen has played an integral role in shaping and improving virtually every aspect of the NRF,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “We are grateful for her deep commitment and strategic leadership on initiatives including establishing NRF on firm financial footing, liaising with top retail CFOs, creating highly competitive compensation and benefits programs, attracting and retaining top talent, identifying key technology investments, and leading the office relocation project to our best-in-class work space.”
Under Kohut’s leadership since 2000, NRF experienced explosive growth and more than doubled its annual operating revenue, creating the financial strength to make repeated and regular strategic investments to serve its members and the retail industry.
About NRF
The National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail thrive. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 42 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.