Myron e ullman biography

Myron “Mike” Ullman 3rd, who led JCPenney (twice), Macy’s and DFS Group, died Tuesday at his home in Montrose, Colo., Women’s Wear Daily reports. He was 77.

In an extensive obituary, the fashion newspaper notes that in addition to his extensive business career, Ullman had significant experience in government, academia and philanthropic work focused on health care for disadvantaged people, among other humanitarian initiatives.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Ullman was a strong operations, financial and technology executive, but not generally recognized as a merchant prince. Yet he had strong connections in the fashion industry, cast a wide net, was highly competitive and had a wry sense of humor, WWD noted.

Ullman began his career as an international account manager for IBM in 1969 and later joined his alma mater the University of Cincinnati as vice president of business affairs. He subsequently served as a White House Fellow in the Reagan administration.

Following that, he joined Federated Department Stores in Dallas and then moved to Hong Kong to lead the property development business Wharf Holdings. He returned to the U.S. and served in a senior level financial position at Macy’s. He eventually rose to chairman and CEO for a short period, until Federated took over Macy’s.

At Macy’s, Ullman oversaw the installation of a modern technological infrastructure, including computerized systems tracking customer preferences, sales and helping to manage inventory. He then became chairman and CEO of DFS Group, a travel retailer, and later joined its owner LVMH as director general, where he led a series of acquisitions that helped establish LVMH as the world’s top luxury group.

Ullman also had the unusual experience of heading up Penney’s twice, WWD notes, first joining the department store in 2004 as Chairman and CEO, and advancing turnaround events by

This story was updated Aug 7 at 7:32 p.m. EST

Myron E. “Mike” Ullman, who led JCPenney, Macy’s and the DFS Group travel retail business owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton during his long and respected career in retailing, died peacefully Tuesday at his home in Montrose, Colo. He was 77.

In addition to his extensive career leading U.S. and global businesses, Ullman had significant experience in government, academia and philanthropic work focused on health care for disadvantaged people, among other humanitarian initiatives.

A precise cause of death could not be immediately learned. In 2001, Ullman left LVMH, citing a medical condition that made traveling and long work hours hard to sustain. He once told WWD he had a spinal cord injury that was microscopic and initially tough to detect and that he had some motor issues. Walking long distances became difficult, he said, but he used a Segway to get around and make public appearances, as if he was a conquering emperor riding a chariot. As the issue progressed, he stoically continued in his career.

“Even though I was well aware of Mike’s illness, the news of his passing has had a profound effect on me,” said Howard Schultz, the former chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks, where Ullman served on the board, including for some time as chairman.

“His years as lead director of the Starbucks board, where he served with distinction, taught us many lessons of the role and responsibilities of a public company,” said Schultz. “He was a servant leader, a true retail merchant, and a person who made everyone around him better. Mike was a man of the highest level of integrity steeped in humility. He was ‘one of one.’ I loved him dearly.”

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Ullman was a strong operations, financial

American businessman (1946–2024)

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. 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.

Background

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, on November 26, 1946, Ullman had six siblings, and his parents were residents of Canfield, Ohio, where he grew up. 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.

Career

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

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. Thereafter, he spent a stint at DFS Group, during which it was acquired by LVMH. He then began his stints at J. C. Penney, during which he sought to differentiate it from its competition by embracing higher-end brands.

On June 26, 2018, Ullman succeeded Howard Schultz as Chairman of Starbucks Corporation.