Former Eli Lilly executive appointed to top technology post at Sears Holdings

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings has appointed Jeff Balagna as EVP and chief information officer, the Kmart parent company said Thursday.

Balagna was previously chief information officer for drug maker Eli Lilly and will be responsible for Sears Holdings' technology and infrastructure initiatives in its support centers and in-store.

"Jeff is a proven executive with an analytic approach and experience in transforming complex organizations in rapidly evolving industries," Sears Holdings chairman and CEO Edward Lampert said. "Innovation and technology are cornerstones of Sears Holdings' efforts to build lasting relationships with Shop Your Way members, and Jeff's deep expertise in information technology infrastructure, customer loyalty programs and leveraging IT as a business enabler make him a strong addition to our team."

Before working at Lilly, Balagna spent more than five years with Carlson Cos., including serving as CEO of Carlson Marketing, where he led the August 2011 sale of the customer loyalty marketing company to Groupe Aeroplan, which handles the frequent-flyer program for Air Canada.