Borders Group Appoints Susan Harwood Chief Information Officer
By Press Release - Aug 20 , 2007
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 20, 2007—Susan Harwood joins Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP) as Chief Information Officer, effective today. She reports to Borders Group Chief Executive Officer George Jones.
Prior to joining Borders, Harwood served as Vice President of Information Technology at Books-A-Million, Inc. since 2001, where she was responsible for all information technology operations for the 200-store retail chain and its subsidiaries. From 1995 through 2001, Harwood was with Crown Books, where she began working as an independent consultant and advanced through a series of information technology management positions including Director of Systems Planning, Director of Corporate Systems, and Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, a post she held from 1998 through 2001. Previous to Crown, Harwood was a Senior Analyst and Project Leader for Circuit City Stores from 1990 to 1994.
At Borders, Harwood is responsible for the overall vision, strategic direction and tactical delivery of all information technology systems and solutions to support the company’s business operations, which include over 1,200 Borders and Waldenbooks stores worldwide as well as distribution facilities and the company’s corporate headquarters. She spearheads all information technology initiatives, including merchandising and warehouse management systems, and is responsible for the company’s technology infrastructure and for driving emerging technologies. In addition, Harwood plays a key role in leading technology supporting the ongoing development of Borders.com, the proprietary e-commerce site that the company will launch in the first quarter of 2008.
“Technology is central to our mission to be a headquarters for knowledge and entertainment,” said Jones. “Susan is a proven leader with decades of experience in information technology and in the retail book business. After a comprehensive search, we are delighted to have Susan guiding our IT team and helping to lead the company toward the successful execution of our strategic plan for the future of Borders Group.”
“This is truly an exciting time to be at Borders, and I’m thrilled to join the management team in the midst of the company’s transformation,” Harwood said. “Technology plays an integral role in maximizing operational performance as well as customer relationships, and I look forward to leading the technology team as we join the business in driving meaningful change at Borders.”
About Borders Group
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE) is a leading global retailer of books, music and movies with more than 1,200 stores and over 32,000 employees worldwide. More information on the company is available at www.bordersgroupinc.com.
Note to the editor—Susan Harwood is a 1984 graduate of the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, where she received a bachelor of arts degree.
Contact:
Anne Roman
(734) 477-1392
