News

CKE names 3 more to top spots in 90-day leadership shakeup

July 10, 2017

Less than two weeks after CKE Restaurants announced a new COO and CMO, the organization has introduced new tech and human resources leaders. The Hardee's and Carl's Jr. parent announced the latest strategic appointments in a press release headlined, "In Just 90 Days, CKE Builds an Industry-Leading Executive Team ... ."

Joanna Shepard joins CKE as chief people officer; Stephen Carvelli joins the company as chief information officer. Current CKE executive, Jim Sullivan is now chief development officer.  

"It's no secret that the people working in Carl's, Jr. and Hardee's restaurants around the globe have powered both brands' success over the last 50 years — whether they are hand-breading tenders, baking biscuits fresh daily, or running great restaurants," CKE CEO Jason Marker said in a news release. "The additions of Joanna and Stephen, along with Jim's promotion, will ensure that our business's future growth will be powered by what got CKE here in the first place. We are excited that the culture, brand and future of CKE attracted such impressive and diverse talent."

Shepard is a veteran global HR executive from Greensboro, North Carolina-based Gilbarco Inc. Previously, she led organizational development and HR teams for Pizza Hut, A&W and Long John Silver's.

Carvelli was chief technology officer at Lowe's Companies, where he led digital transformation, enterprise architecture, operations and development. He previously held leadership roles at American Eagle Outfitters, Chico's FAS, OfficeMax and The Walt Disney Company.

Sullivan was promoted as the result of his leadership in domestic restaurant footprint expansion for both core and high growth markets, the release said. CKE has led the QSR segment in net new unit growth for the past two years, the release said.

The company said leadership changes were necessary to ensure its forward movement in the coming months and years. Former CKE CEO Andrew Puzder retired shortly after withdrawing his name from consideration as U.S. labor secretary. President Trump nominated him for that position, but Puzder bowed out in February after a flurry of negative news stories.