Loeb Promoted to President of May Co.

May Department Stores Co. announced Wednesday that Jerome T. Loeb, the retailer’s vice chairman and chief financial officer, was promoted to president, a move that places him in line to eventually succeed Chairman David Farrell.

Loeb, 52, succeeds Thomas A. Hays, who is being moved to the newly created position of deputy chairman effective June 14, the St. Louis-based company said.

Both men recommended the changes.

They will report to Farrell, 59, who is also May’s chief executive, a company spokesman said.

Hays has been president of May since 1985.

He joined the company in 1969 and also served as vice chairman of May’s board.

Loeb has served as vice chairman and chief financial officer since 1986.

He joined the company in 1964 and is a member of May’s board of directors.

May operates 302 department stores nationwide, including the Robinsons-May chain of stores in California. The firm also operates 3,592 Payless ShoeSource stores.

Leanne S. Mattes has been promoted to vice president of sales promotion at Carter Hawley Hale Stores.

Mattes, 35, previously was director of advertising. She had held that position since 1989.

Los Angeles-based Carter Hawley operates 83 department stores under the names Broadway, Emporium and Weinstocks.

Real Estate Investment Trust of California has named Jay W. Pauly president and chief executive.

Pauly, 52, succeeds William A. Walters Jr., 68, who is retiring as president, but remains chairman of the Los Angeles-based firm.

Pauly was most recently first vice president and director of real estate for Home Savings of America, a unit of H.F. Ahmanson & Co.

Smart & Final, the Santa Barbara-based grocery warehouse chain, has announced the promotion of four company managers.

Wayne Taylor, previously a district manager, was named regional vice president of the southern division--replacing Gene Dupree, who retired after 35 years at the company.

John Goneau was promoted to vice president of the warehouse and distribution operations. He had been a director of those operations.

Greg Martin, director and operations manager of the firm’s Casino frozen foods division, was promoted to vice president of the company’s frozen food redistribution business.

Jim Griffin, senior vice president of warehousing and distribution, was given the additional responsibilities of chief information officer.