M.B. Zale Visionary Merchant Lecture Series

The 2011 honoree with Mr. Don Zale, Mr. Gerald Ray, and the Zale Schoalrs

The M.B. Zale Visionary Merchant Lecture Series celebrates innovative merchandising. It celebrates M.B. Zale's outstanding achievements in retailing by recognizing industry leaders with the Visionary Merchant Award.

M.B. Zale founded Zale Corporation, an international jewelry chain, in 1924. He is widely respected as one of the giants in retailing. Donald Zale, the founder's son, is chairman of the M.B. & Edna Zale Foundation and a member of the class of 1955 at Texas A&M University. His challenge to three Texas universities to help retailing by developing the next generation of retail leadership led to the creation of the Center for Retailing Studies at Texas A&M in 1983.

On Wednesday, April 4, Zale Corporation's Theo Killion was honored with the 2012 award.  He currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Zale Corporation. Previously, Theo has worked at executive recruiting firm Berglass+Associates and as Executive Vice President of Human Resorces for the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation.

PAST HONOREES

Eduardo Castro-Wright, Vice Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Global.com

Garrett Boone, Co-Chairman; Kip Tindell, Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Sharon Tindell, Chief Merchandising Officer, The Container Store

Robert L. Tillman, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Lowe's

Leonard Riggio, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Barnes & Noble

Gordon Segal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Crate and Barrel, Inc.

Marvin J. Girouard, '61, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pier 1 Imports

Dr. Jeffrey L. Bluestein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Harley-Davidson

Jim Carreker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Bombay Company

Bob Nardelli, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Home Depot

Maxine Clark, Chairman and Chief Executive Bear, Build-A-Bear Workshop

Mike Ullman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, JCPenney Inc.

Matt Rubel, CEO and President, Payless ShoeSource

Sam Duncan, CEO and Chairman, OfficeMax Inc.

Robert D. Loeffler, Former President, H-E-B