Staples shakes up leadership

Courtesy Staples

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By Sam Bonacci

The Framingham-based office supply company that is still fighting for a merger with Office Max has shaken up its leadership structure.

The changes to leadership at the company include the resignation of Demos Parnero, the president of North American Stores and Online, effective March 31. Otis Pannell, senior vice president of U.S Retail Operations, will then take on retail operations in the United States.

In addition to Parnero’s resignation, Shira Goodman, the current president of North American Commercial, has been named president of North American Operations. She will be responsible for Staples’ business-to-business, online and retail operations across the United States and Canada. She has been with the company since 1992.

John Wilson, currently president of Staples Europe, has been named president of International Operations and Transformation. He will be responsible for operations in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and Asia. He will also be responsible for the company’s strategy and overall transformation efforts.

The changes streamline the organization to speed up decision-making, according to Staples CEO Ron Sargent.

The news comes as the retailer fights for a merger with Office Max, using legal measures to challenge the Federal Trade Commission to allow the merger.