James E. Oesterreicher is chairman of the board and chief executive officer of J.C. Penney Inc., one of America's largest department store retailers, the largest catalog operation, the fourth largest drugstore chain under the Eckerd name, and a premier direct marketer.

Mr. Oesterreicher was named chairman and CEO in 1997. From 1995 to 1997, he served as vice chairman and CEO. From 1992 to 1995, he was president of JCPenney Stores and Catalog, and form 1988, he was director of JCPenney Stores. In 1986, he was appointed regional vice president of the Western Region and president of that region the following year. He became director of strategic planning and research for JCPenney Stores and Catalog in 1984. Mr. Oesterreicher started with JCPenney in 1964 as a management trainee in Lansing, MI, and subsequently held a variety of store management positions of increasing responsibility up until 1984.

Mr. Oesterreicher is chairman of the National Retail Federation, the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, and a director of Brinker International, TXU, and the Dallas Citizens Council. He is also a member of the executive board of Southern Methodist University (SMU) Cox School of Business.

Additionally, Mr. Oesterreicher is a member of the board of trustees of The Conference Board, National Urban League, Circle of Ten Council, and Texas Health Resources. He is a member of American Society of Corporate Executives, Dallas Roundtable, Governor's Business Council, Dallas Together Forum, and the Domestic Strategy Group of the Aspen Institute. Mr. Oesterreicher also serves as a member of the board of governors of the Spina Bifida Association of America.

Mr. Oesterreicher graduated in 1964 from Michigan State University with a B.S. degree in marketing and retailing. He and his wife, Patricia Ann, have three sons, Scott, Tom and David.