Staples, Inc. has announced changes in the company’s leadership that it says will create a more efficient, focused organization. Staples participates in the promotional products industry as distributor Staples Promotional Products (UPIC: AMER0016).

“We are streamlining the organization and building a simplified structure that will speed decision-making and enable us to focus on driving profitable growth,” says Ron Sargent, chairman and CEO. “These changes will help us compete in a rapidly evolving marketplace, either as a standalone company or in combination with Office Depot.”

Staples and Office Depot are contesting the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) challenge that Staples’ proposed $6.3 billion acquisition of Office Depot would violate antitrust laws by significantly reducing competition nationwide in the market for “consumable” office supplies sold to large business customers for their own use. Staples and Office Depot have stated that they intend to waive the merger agreement termination date of February 4 and extend it to May 16, to allow for the completion of the ongoing federal district court litigation with the FTC.

Shira Goodman, currently president, North American commercial, has been named president, North American operations. She will have responsibility for Staples’ business-to-business, online and retail operations across the United States and Canada. Goodman joined Staples in 1992 and played a key role in developing Staples’ delivery business model. She has served in a number of senior roles across the company, including strategy, marketing, human resources and operations.

John Wilson, currently president, Staples Europe, has been named president, international operations and transformation. He will have responsibility for operations in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and Asia. He will also be responsible for the company’s strategy and overall transformation efforts. Wilson served as chief financial officer at Staples from 1992 to 1996. He rejoined Staples in 2012 and will continue to be based in Amsterdam.

Demos Parneros, president, North American stores and online, announced his resignation from Staples, effective March 31. Otis Pannell, senior vice president, U.S. retail operations, will have responsibility for retail operations in the United States and will report to Goodman. Pannell joined Staples in 1989, serving in a number of retail leadership positions across the country.

“John, Shira and Otis have deep knowledge of Staples, and I’m very excited to work with them in their new roles as we position Staples for the future,” Sargent says. “I want to thank Demos for all he has done to help build Staples. Over nearly 30 years, he has played a significant role in making Staples the leader in our industry, touching countless people and developing many of our strongest leaders and associates.”