COLUMBUS, Ohio — Big Lots Inc. president and chief executive officer David Campisi, who has been on a leave of absence for medical reasons since December 2017, has decided to retire from the company in order to focus fully on his health.

Big Lot’s board of directors has launched a formal search process to identify a permanent successor CEO, and will enlist the help of an executive search firm to help.  In the meantime, Lisa Bachmann, executive vice president, chief merchandising and operating officer, and Timothy Johnson, executive vice president, chief administrative officer and chief financial officer, will continue to work closely with the company’s executive leadership team (E.L.T.) and board of directors to handle Campisi’s executive responsibilities.

“Lisa and T.J. have done an excellent job executing my responsibilities, and will continue to do so while the board searches for my successor, Campisi said. “I have the upmost confidence in them, along with the rest of the ELT, in continuing to successfully guide Big Lots forward.”

Jim Chambers, non-executive chair of the board at Big Lots, thanked Campisi for his years of service.

David has provided strong leadership during an important period in the company’s history, and one of his lasting legacies will be the talented team that he developed at Big Lots,” Chambers said. “We sincerely appreciate David’s many contributions to Big Lots and wish him a long and healthy retirement.”