Dick's CEO to lead merchandising operations

Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. said today that CEO Edward W. Stack and another executive will head the company's merchandising operations, now that Gwendolyn K. Manto has left.

Manto was the Findlay-based sporting equipment retailer's executive vice president and chief merchandising officer until Monday. Dick's said Manto likely won't be replaced, but Stack and Joseph H. Schmidt, president and chief operating officer, will lead a realigned merchandising organization.

Dick's lost $104.4 million in its most recent quarter, and has been cutting payroll, advertising and store opening costs and store hours. The company has said same-store sales for this year are projected to drop by 8 to 12 percent, compared to a 4.8 percent dip in 2008.