J.C. Penney’s Ken Hicks To Accept AMY Award

NEW YORK – Ken Hicks, president and chief merchandising officer of J.C. Penney Co. Inc., will be the recipient of the AMY Award at the YMA’s annual AMY Awards Dinner.           

The dinner will be held Jan. 11, 2007, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel here. Two additional industry winners are expected to be announced shortly.

Ken Duane, YMA president and vice chairman of Phillips-Van Heusen Corp., noted that Hicks’ “steadfast commitment to education and support of young people entering our industry is well known.’

Hicks noted, “I am a great believer in education. YMA is a wonderful organization helping to support our successors in the industry and I am proud to be their honoree.”

In addition to industry honorees, the AMY dinner recognizes the work of outstanding YMA student scholars. In its 35-year history, YMA has provided $3.6 million in financial assistance to more than 400 college students studying fashion related disciplines. This year, a record 119 grants will be distributed by the group to students from 19 schools, among them Fashion Institute of Technology, North Carolina State University, Otis College of Art & Design, Parsons School of Design, Indiana University and Auburn University.

Hicks, who joined Penney’s in 2002, has held his current position for the past 18 months. The West Point graduate was previously with Payless ShoeSource, Home Shopping Network and May Department Stores.