Specialty apparel retailer The Buckle is preparing for a major leadership transition, with two of its most senior and longest-tenured executives set to retire. 

The company announced that Kari Smith, executive VP of stores and a member of the board, and Michelle Hoffman, senior VP of sales, will step down effective February 13. Smith will also resign from the board at that time.

Both executives have spent more than four decades with the Nebraska-based retailer and are widely credited with shaping its store-led operating model and sales culture.

Smith joined the company in 1978 as a part-time sales associate and rose through the ranks to oversee Buckle’s store operations nationwide. Hoffman began her career at Buckle in 1979, building a long tenure in sales leadership that helped define the retailer’s customer-focused selling approach.

“I have had the opportunity to work with Kari and Michelle for nearly 50 years and would like to thank them both for their dedicated service to Buckle, our teammates, and our guests,” said Dennis Nelson, president and CEO.  

“Their leadership has been vital to the development and culture of our incredibly talented sales team, who continue to provide our guests with incredible shopping experiences each and every day.”

The company has not yet announced successors for either role.

Further reading: The Buckle reports declining first-quarter net sales