• Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, November 11, 2009 10:33 AM

San Francisco-based John Goodman was in his second day in his new job in charge of Sears and Kmart's apparel and home goods divisions -- one of the weakest portions of the retailer's business -- when Melissa Harris chatted with him. He told her that he was not there to "turn over the apple cart" or remake the brand but rather to "improve profitability and sales performance."

He also wants to find synergies between the two brands in terms of talent and the sharing of information. "I really want this to have an entrepreneurial spirit, and think a little less traditional," Goodman says.

Goodman started in retail as the only male clerk in a Limited store in Baltimore. He subsequently has been everything from buyer at Bloomingdale's to a launcher of Banana Republic, Gap and Old Navy outlet stores. Most recently, he was CEO of retailer Charlotte Russe. And he's no grab-and-goer. His hobby, Harris reports, is shopping.

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