On March 2, UW-Stout alumna Jill Soltau took over as chief executive officer of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, the nation’s largest fabric and craft suppliers retailer. The Ohio-based company has over 800 stores in 49 states and in 2013 it ranked 195th on the Forbes list of largest privately-held companies.

Jill Soltau

With one eye on Jo-Ann’s 70 year legacy and one on its future prospects, Soltau expressed excitement about her upcoming tenure as CEO. “Jo-Ann is an industry leader that has exciting opportunities to achieve even greater long-term potential,” she said in a news release. “I look forward to working with the talented management team and dedicated associates to bolster Jo-Ann’s market position and create further enthusiasm for the Jo-Ann brand.” Soltau graduated from UW-Stout in 1989 with a degree in retailing and a minor in business, and since then has had an impressive and prolific career in business management. Most recently she was the president of Shopko, having joined the company in 2007 as its senior vice president. From 2004-06 she was the vice president and general merchandising manager of Sears Holding, and before that she held various planning, private brand, and merchandising positions with Kohl’s. Soltau’s retail career began with the Carson Pirie Scott division of Saks, where she held a variety of roles in stores and merchandising.