As a kid, Target CEO Brian Cornell had a job washing Tropicana trucks.
Monica Schipper / Stringer / Getty Images
Target CEO Brian Cornell had decades of retail experience under his belt by the time he took the reins at the Minneapolis-based retailer.
In 2014, he became the first outside hire ever appointed as Target's CEO. Before that, he worked at PepsiCo, Sam's Club, and Michaels.
Target announced in September 2022 that Cornell will remain CEO for 3 more years, past the traditional retirement age of 65.
Target CEO Brian Cornell is unique among chief executives of the Minneapolis-based retailer.
In 2014, he became the first outside hire to take on the role as CEO of Target. Today, he leads Target's 400,000 or so employees spread across about 2,000 US stores, according to the company's website.
Long before he became a major retail executive, Cornell spent his youth working odd jobs and low-paying retail gigs to put himself through college. He then embarked on a decades-long career in the business, during which he held down roles at a number of prominent companies like Safeway, PepsiCo, and Walmart.
And Cornell's tenure at Target is slated to be longer than those of past executives. In September 2022, the retailer threw out its traditional retirement age of 65, to allow Cornell to stay on for three more years.
Here's a look back at Cornell's life and career:
Born in Queens in 1958, Brian Cornell was raised by his mother and maternal grandparents.Brian Cornell.
Cornell told Fortune that an assortment of retail jobs and a stint coaching a high school football team allowed him to pay his way through UCLA.Brian Cornell (far left).
After college, Cornell embarked on a career in retail that would propel him to the executive level of several major brands.Jessica Alba and Brian Cornell.
In a call-back to his days washing trucks in Queens, he went to work for Tropicana. He remained there when PepsiCo bought the company in 1998.Brian Cornell.
Cornell ultimately took on a number of leadership roles, becoming the president of Tropicana and PepsiCo's North American food services president.Cornell stayed on after PepsiCo bought Tropicana.
Cornell got off to a rough start, and Michaels lost $5 million during his first year there, The Minneapolis Business Journal reported. The CEO resigned a little more than a year after joining.Michaels.
Up next, Cornell headed to Walmart, becoming CEO of Sam's Club. The Wall Street Journal reported that Cornell accrued a reputation for attracting wealthier members to the warehouse club.Brian Cornell (far right right).
At the time, the retailer was reeling from a massive hack. CEO Gregg Steinhafel had resigned, largely as a result of the ensuing controversy. Cornell's selection was widely seen as an effort to bring in an outsider's perspective, according to Fortune.Brian Cornell.
"I have always looked at this company with admiration for the team, its capabilities and the strength of the brand — I'd say the connection Target has forged with its guests is enviable," Cornell said in a 2014 interview with the retailer's website.Brian Cornell.
Cornell developed a reputation as a hands-on CEO, often visiting stores to chat with employees and customers. In 2016, he even embarked on a number of home visits with different shoppers.Brian Cornell with Target employees.
Under Cornell, Target has doubled down on its digital capabilities. In the 2019 holiday season, the company saw the fruits of this labor when comparable sales grew 5.7% in November and December.Brian Cornell (far right).
Cornell and his wife, Martha, have a son and a daughter. The CEO said that his daughter — a fan of Target — was particularly excited about him taking the job at the retailer in 2014.Brian and Martha Cornell.
In 2022, Target scrapped its longstanding retirement age to allow the 63-year-old Cornell to stay on for three more years. "Brian has worked to transform Target into an omnichannel leader by driving a guest-centric, purpose-driven strategy," said lead independent director Monica Lozano.Brian Cornell.
Cornell got $19.8 million in total compensation in 2021, according to Target's most recent proxy statement. That included his base salary of $1.4 million.Brian Cornell.
When asked to discuss his passion in 2014, Cornell replied: "My passion is building loyalty and delighting consumers ... something that Target does extremely well."Brian Cornell with Target employees.
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