Paula Malloy has been promoted to DVP Divisional Merchandise Manager at jcpenney  Salons , the company she joined in 2003 as director of marketing. Malloy's industry background includes experience at the salon, distribution and manufacturing levels. She was a successful salon owner, sales and education director for the CB Sullivan distributorship in New England and a major player in the early-90s growth of the Sebastian hair care and color line. She is a former president of the International SalonSpa Business Network and was instrumental in bringing ISBN into a partnership with the Professional Beauty Association to work on government and legislative issues affecting the salon industry.

“Paula is a talented, experienced leader in the salon industry. We are excited to expand her role and responsibilities as we continue to transform and re-imagine our jcp salons,” says Jan Hodges, senior vice president.

MODERN SALON spoke with Malloy about her new position and new company direction that will impact jcp’s network of 950 salons and 17,000 stylists.

MODERN SALON: HOW WILL YOUR NEW POSITION CHANGE AND EXPAND YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AT JCP?

PAULA MALLOY: As DVP divisional merchandise manager, I am now responsible for all product, training and marketing for the division.

MS: WILL THERE BE A NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTION AT THE SALONS AND HOW WILL THAT BE COMMUNICATED TO JCP SALON PROFESSIONALS?

PM: The key to elevating our salon experience is attracting and developing the best stylists in the industry. In the final analysis, our stylists are our best product. We are focused on equipping our stylists with the best training so they can deliver an elevated client experience and ultimately become American’s favorite salon.

To lead this initiative, jcp salon has, for the first time, appointed an artistic director with the hiring of industry veteran Nick Stenson who will develop and train all jcpenney stylists on exciting, new signature styles and trends. To assist with this training, Nick has strategically placed a team of six Artistic Field Trainers across the country who are  charged with sharing Nick’s vision in their regions as they guide and train  a new training team tier—Artistic Lead Stylists.  This team will consist of 55 people who will be the education force in the markets and will go into jcpenney salons across America to deliver a strong consistent message on the new technical training that Nick and his team have built.

MS: HOW WILL YOU BE CHANGING OR EXPANDING THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES/REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR JCP STYLIST NETWORK?

PM: We have a great career path at jcp salons. We have three levels of designers with specific training requirements. We have also created a new training position—Artistic Lead Designer—that is based in the field. Artistic Lead Designers are trained by Nick Stenson and his team to deliver our core and trend training to jcp salon stylists across the country.

MS: HOW WILL JCPENNEY’S ARTISTIC AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR STYLISTS ENHANCE THE CLIENT EXPERIENCE?

PM: The core training that Nick Stenson and his team have developed allows our stylists to give high quality cuts and finishes consistently across the country. Along with technical training, we are also investing in our stylists and further elevating our salon experience with strong, customer-focused training aimed at and created for our loyal and repeat customers.

With nearly 950 locations nationwide, we operate the largest volume of full service salons, under one brand, in the country. With our new artistic direction and training, coupled with our new company transformation, our salons are more exciting than ever. Visit jcpenney.com.