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Toys“R”Us, Inc. appoints number of highly respected executives to key leadership roles to position its business for long-term profitable growth

WAYNE, NJ, 2014-9-10 — /EPR Retail News/ — Toys“R”Us, Inc. today announced it has appointed a number of highly respected executives to key leadership roles, as the company continues to work to position its business for long-term profitable growth.

“One of the key pillars of our “TRU Transformation” strategy is to develop high-performing, highly engaged, diverse teams, and we are assembling talent that can help lead important areas of the business and offer fresh perspectives,” said Antonio Urcelay, Chairman and CEO, Toys“R”Us, Inc. “With these new leaders and our internal team, we are intensely focused on looking at every aspect of the business for process improvement in making the company fit for growth.”

Debbie Lentz has been named Senior Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer, with responsibility for U.S. distribution and customs compliance, global importing and exporting, fleet operations and domestic transportation, reporting to Hank Mullany, President, Toys”R”Us, U.S. In this role, she oversees inventory planning and allocation as well as e-commerce fulfillment, while driving efforts to significantly improve in-stock levels in-store and online. In addition, Lentz leads logistics strategy development for the company’s international markets and efforts to improve global supply chain efficiencies, reporting in this capacity to Antonio Urcelay.

Lentz was formerly with Kraft Foods Group and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President, Customer Service and Logistics. In this capacity, she oversaw a team of associates across a network of distribution centers, direct store delivery branches, warehouses and large truck fleet. Before this role, she led logistics, including global exports, fulfillment, product supply and customer service throughout Kraft’s European business. During her career with Kraft, Lentz held positions in global procurement, information systems, manufacturing operations and supply chain across the company’s multiple businesses in North America and Europe. Prior to Kraft, she worked for many years in logistics operations at Nabisco Foods Group.

Lentz serves on the Board of Directors of the International Women’s Forum Leadership Foundation and is a member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.

Christine Morena has been named Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Toys“R”Us, Inc., reporting to Deb Derby, Vice Chairman, Toys“R”Us, Inc. In this role, Morena provides strategic guidance and operational support to the company’s global Human Resources organization throughout its headquarters and regional offices, as well as stores and distribution centers in the U.S. and internationally. She is also instrumental in leading ongoing efforts to develop strong teams through employee relations and communications, as well as training and talent development. In addition, Morena oversees the company’s employee rewards and benefits programs.

Morena most recently served as principal of her own advisory services business, providing counsel to senior managers and boards on building best-in-class organizational structures and programs. Prior to this, Morena served as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Saks Incorporated. She previously worked at AT&T for many years where she held positions of increasing responsibility, culminating in Senior Vice President, Human Resources, AT&T Corporation.

Joe Venezia has been named Senior Vice President, Store Operations, Toys“R”Us, U.S. In this capacity, Venezia is responsible for transforming the in-store experience through strong operations disciplines and customer service excellence in the company’s store network across the country. He also provides leadership for ensuring customers have a seamless in-store and online shopping experience through the company’s omnichannel offerings, including Ship from Store and In-Store Pickup. He reports to Hank Mullany.

Venezia was formerly at The Pantry, where he served as Senior Vice President of Store Operations for its convenience stores and quick service restaurants across the Southeastern U.S. Prior to this, Venezia served as Senior Vice President of Walmart U.S. and President for the company’s Northeast division. Before joining Walmart, Venezia was President and General Manager, Wells Fargo Merchant Services and worked at The Procter & Gamble Company in brand management roles of increasing responsibility, including leadership of a number of baby care brands. Venezia also served as an Airborne Ranger Officer in the U.S. Army Infantry for nine years and was deployed abroad three times. His missions included a parachute assault into Panama during Operation Just Cause and combat operations in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for demonstrated bravery.

In addition, the company recently announced the appointments of Michael Short as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Toys“R”Us, Inc. and Chetan Bhandari as Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance and Treasurer, Toys“R”Us, Inc.

About Toys“R”Us, Inc.
Toys“R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 877 Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and in more than 710 international stores and over 195 licensed stores in 35 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legendary FAO Schwarz brand and sells extraordinary toys in the brand’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, eToys.com and FAO.com, it provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys“R”Us, Inc. employs approximately 70,000 associates annually worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Additional information about Toys“R”Us, Inc. can be found on Toysrusinc.com. Follow Toys“R”Us, Babies“R”Us and FAO Schwarz on Facebook at Facebook.com/Toysrus, Facebook.com/Babiesrus and Facebook.com/FAO and on Twitter at Twitter.com/Toysrus and Twitter.com/Babiesrus.

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Media Contact:
Toys“R”Us, Inc.
Kathleen Waugh
973-617-5888 or 646-366-8823
waughk@toysrus.com

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