Ames Department Stores Inc., the discount retailer...

Ames Department Stores Inc., the discount retailer that last week filed for bankruptcy protection, has named Stephen Pistner chief executive. He replaces Peter Hollis, who resigned. Rocky Hill, Conn.-based Ames said Pistner’s appointment is subject to court approval. The 58-year-old served as president and chief operating officer of Dayton Hudson Corp. from 1977 to 1981 after he successfully revived the Minneapolis-based retailer’s lagging Target discount stores. In 1981, he joined Montgomery Ward & Co., where he was credited with implementing the strategies that brought that retailer back to health.