Myron E. Ullman

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.[1][2] 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.[3][4]

Background

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, on November 26, 1946,[5] Ullman had six siblings, and his parents were residents of Canfield, Ohio, where he grew up.[6][7] 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.[6][8]

Career

Ullman began his career at IBM and went on to work at the University of Cincinnati as its vice president for business affairs.[6] In the 1980s, he worked for Federated Department Stores and Hong Kong's Wharf Holdings.[6]

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.[6] Thereafter, he spent a stint at DFS Group, during which it was acquired by LVMH.[6] He then began his stints at J. C. Penney, during which he sought to differentiate it from its competition by embracing higher-end brands.[6]

On June 26, 2018, Ullman succeeded Howard Schultz as Chairman of Starbucks Corporation.[9] He held that position until 2021.[6]

Ullman was on the boards of numerous charitable organizations, including serving as Chairman of Mercy Ships from 2001 to 2021 and as a founding board member of Mother's Choice, a foster care charity in Hong Kong.[10][11]

Health and death

Ullman had a neurological disorder which gradually limited his mobility.[6] He adapted to this by often using a Segway.[6]

Ullman died on August 6, 2024, at the age of 77, from complications of cancer and Alzheimer's disease.[6] Sources differed on whether he died at his home in Montrose, Colorado,[12] or a hospice in Grand Junction, Colorado.[6]