Questrom and Answers

Lauded by the business community and society mavens for his smarts and savoir-faire, Allen Questrom was once thought to be on the fast track to a political career in California, where he lived on and off during his years running Bullock’s department stores. He later took over the helm at Bullock’s parent company, Federated, following its bankruptcy, solidifying his position as the retail turnaround king.

Background

Born April 13, 1940, in Newton, Mass., son of Irving Allen (a machine shop owner) and Natalie (a nurse; maiden name, Chadbourne) Questrom; married Kelli Brummer, 1967.

Credentials

Boston University, B.S. (finance), 1964.

Career

1965: Management trainee, Abraham & Straus division of Federated Department Stores Inc.

1978: President, Rich’s division, Federated Department Stores Inc.

1980: Chairman and chief executive, Rich’s division, Federated Department Stores Inc.

1984: Chairman and chief executive, Bullock’s, Federated Department Stores Inc.

1988: Executive vice president, Federated Department Stores Inc.

1988: President and chief executive, Neiman Marcus.

1990: Chairman and chief executive, Federated Department Stores Inc.

1999: Chairman, president and chief executive, Barneys New York Inc.

2000: Chairman and chief executive, J.C. Penney Co.

Sources: Who’s Who, J.C. Penney Co.,

Los Angeles Times