Chico's puts face on strategy

Chico's FAS Inc. has named Laurie Van Brunt as brand president for its Soma Intimates line, one of the company's newest prospects for growth.

Soma was the brand highlighted in a recent Business Review story on Chico's. At that time, Chico's CEO David Dyer set the Soma brand's value upside at more than $1 billion.

Van Brunt spent the past five years working with J.C. Penney Co., holding the positions of marketing vice president, director of brand management, and vice president of intimate apparel during that time. She has more than 30 years of retail experience over the course of her career.

Based in Fort Myers, Chico's (NYSE: CHS) posted annual revenues of $1.7 billions in its most recently completed fiscal year.