PLANO, Texas, March 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- J. C. Penney Company, Inc. ("jcpenney") JCP today announced that Laurie Beja Miller has been named executive vice president, The Square and will lead the Company's efforts to execute its new center core strategy that will serve as a gathering place with ongoing attractions and services. In taking this role, Ms. Miller brings more than two decades of experience at leading retailers and iconic brands, including Nike, Apple and Disney.  Ms. Miller will join jcpenney on April 1, and report to Mr. Johnson. 

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Mr. Johnson said, "In the golden age of department stores, America's families came for more than just to shop. They were able to have fun experiences and were offered a range of useful services. We are going to revive that excitement and convenience at jcpenney, and Laurie is the ideal person to lead the charge. She brings an exceptional track record of creating differentiated shopping environments, unique insight into customer behavior, and a passion about retail that will all be invaluable as we execute our concept for jcpenney's stores."

Ms. Miller said, "The chance to join jcpenney as it undertakes this total transformation is the most exciting opportunity at this point in my career.  The vision that the Company has for jcpenney will make it unlike any other store that exists in retail today and create enormous excitement for customers.  I am so glad to be a part of jcpenney at this extraordinary time and look forward to making The Square an exceptional centerpiece for the new jcpenney shopping experience."

Biography of Laurie Beja Miller
Ms. Miller, 54, has spent the past 20 years in positions of increasing responsibility at top retailers in the areas of merchandising, marketing and product strategy, with a focus on delivering unique in-store and multi-channel shopping experiences.

Prior to serving as senior vice president and general manager Americas at Bare Escentuals, which she joined in 2010, she spent three years at Nike as general manager, vice president Nike Retail U.S. She was previously vice president, product development and merchandising at Hallmark Cards, a role she took after serving as vice president, special projects at Apple, senior vice president and general merchandise manager at Pottery Barn, and executive vice president at Disney Stores, focused on product development. She also spent more than a decade (1984-1995) at Spiegel, where she was general manager of electronic media.  Ms. Miller began her career working in department stores, first at Milwaukee Boston Company and subsequently at Marshall Fields.  She received a B.S. from Iowa State University in Textiles and Clothing/Business Administration.

For further information, contact:

Investor Relations
Kristin Hays and Angelika Torres; (972) 431-5500
jcpinvestorrelations@jcpenney.com

Media Relations
Darcie Brossart and Rebecca Winter; (972) 431-3400
jcpcorpcomm@jcpenney.com

About J. C. Penney Company, Inc.
Over 110 years ago, James Cash Penney founded his company on the principle of treating customers the way he wanted to be treated himself: fair and square. Today, rooted in its rich heritage, J. C. Penney Company, Inc. JCP is re-imagining every aspect of its business in order to reclaim its birthright and become America's favorite store. The Company is transforming the way it does business and remaking the customer experience across its 1,100 jcpenney stores and on jcp.com. At every visit, customers will discover straightforward Fair and Square Pricing, month-long promotions that are in sync with the rhythm of their lives, exceptionally curated merchandise, artful presentation, and unmatched customer service.

For more information about jcpenney, visit jcp.com.

SOURCE J. C. Penney Company, Inc.