Hilsberg to Run May Division

May Department Stores said Wednesday that it has named Marshall Hilsberg to the posts of chairman and chief executive of its Lord & Taylor division.

Hilsberg replaces Joseph E. Brooks, who announced his early retirement Monday in the aftermath of the merger of May and Associated Dry Goods. Lord & Taylor was Associated’s crown jewel, and Brooks had ambitions to be Associated’s chief executive before the merger.

In making the appointment, May Chairman David D. Farrell turned to his company’s executives and bypassed those of the newly merged Associated operations. For example, Harold Leppo continues as Lord & Taylor’s president and chief operating officer while Frank C. Watson continues as vice chairman.

Hilsberg has been president and chief executive of May’s G. Fox & Co. division since 1982. Succeeding Hilsberg at G. Fox will be Jerald S. Politzer, executive vice president of May’s Hecht Co. subsidiary in Washington.