Will be EVP and CMO of Academy Sports + Outdoors

KATY, Texas — Academy Ltd. announced Wednesday that it had hired Walmart executive Michelle Gloeckler as executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, effective August 29. The company operates 210 Academy Sports + Outdoors stores in Texas and 14 other states, mostly in the Southeast, offering apparel, shoes, and equipment for a range of sporting and outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, boating and golf.

Michelle Gloeckler

Gloeckler, 50, joined Walmart in 2009. She served most recently as its executive vice president of consumables and health and wellness in Walmart’s U.S. division. Gloeckler also led the retailer’s high-profile campaign to source more merchandise made in the United States.

“On behalf of our more than 25,000 team members, I am thrilled to welcome Michelle to the team,” J.K. Symancyk, the company’s president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Michelle is an industry-renowned business driver and broad general manager with experience leading transformation and growth within high-volume, fast-turn, big box retail and CPG companies. Our team will benefit tremendously from her caliber of leadership as we focus on Academy Sports + Outdoors’ future growth.”

Academy operates a catalog and ecommerce site in addition to its stores. The company, which dates to 1938, was acquired by investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. in 2011.

“I’m ecstatic to join the Academy Sports + Outdoors team and I look forward to getting to know our merchant, planning, sourcing and product development team members, along with our vendors and manufacturing partners,” Gloeckler said in a statement. “I believe Academy’s everyday low price approach, community focused stores and the merchandise mix of national and private brands position it uniquely in the industry for future growth and success.”