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 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]