Dick's Sporting Goods COO Schmidt Plans To Retire

(RTTNews) - Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. (DKS) said Tuesday that Joseph Schmidt has informed on September 10 of his intention to retire as president and chief operating officer of the omni-channel sporting goods retailer, a role he has held since 2009. The company also announced other executive changes.

Schmidt has served in several key leadership roles since joining Dick's Sporting Goods in 1990. He will remain with the company until the end of fiscal 2014, or a date mutually agreed to by Schmidt and the company. Dick's Sporting has initiated a search for Schmidt's successor, the company said in a regulatory filing.

In addition, John Duken has informed the company of his plan to retire, effective as of the end of November 2014.

Duken has served as the company's executive vice president, global merchandising since 2012. Duken joined the company in 1999 and has held a number of roles in operations, planning & allocation and merchandising throughout his tenure.

Dick's Sporting Goods named Lee Belitsky to serve as executive vice president, product development and planning, allocation & replenishment. He is currently serving as senior vice president of product development.

Belitsky's appointment is effective Monday, September 15, 2014. He joined the company in 1997 as vice president, controller. During his tenure has served as the senior vice president in risk and compliance, strategic planning and analysis, treasury services, and store operations and distribution/transportation.

DKS closed Monday's trading at $45.89, down $0.48 or 1.04 percent on a volume of 1.30 million shares.