Staples’ Leadership Reset

It’s not often that the office supply industry sees so many newsworthy stories one right after another, but ever since Staples and Office Depot made preliminary agreements to merge, both companies have seen their fair share of time in the media spotlight. Now, however, some of Staples‘ executives are experiencing the internal changes that are often necessary after such periods of external pressure.

On Monday (Jan. 25), Staples outlined all the impending changes it will make to its executive board in order to create “a more efficient, focused organization.” Though only Demos Parneros, president of North American stores and online, will be departing Staples after he resigned effective March 31, CEO Ron Sargent explained that the rest of the organizational and role changes are being made for the benefit of a stronger company.

“We are streamlining the organization and building a simplified structure that will speed decision-making and enable us to focus on driving profitable growth,” Sargent said in a statement. “These changes will help us compete in a rapidly evolving marketplace, either as a standalone company or in combination with Office Depot.”

John Wilson, formerly president of Staples Europe, will move to president of international operations and transformation. Shira Goodman, current president of North American commercial, will assume control of Staples’ North American operations as president. Finally, Otis Pannell, ex-senior vice president of U.S. retail, will assume Goodman’s number two role.

“John, Shira and Otis have deep knowledge of Staples, and I’m very excited to work with them in their new roles as we position Staples for the future,” Sargent said. “I want to thank Demos for all he has done to help build Staples.”

As Staples awaits further legal rulings on its suspended merger with Office Depot, streamlining its own executive board is almost the only course of action it has left to prove that it’s committed to running an honest, straight-talking, monopoly-free chain.