Zale Corp., a leading specialty retailer of fine jewelry in North America, on Friday announced the resignation of Frank C. Mroczka, a 23-year Zale veteran, as Zale senior vice president and president of Gordon’s Jewelers. His departure follows the Jan. 4 announcement that, despite slight gains overall in holiday sales for Zale Corp., Gordon’s Jewelers posted a decrease in comparable store sales.

Replacing him is Steve Lang, currently vice president of Zale North America, as senior vice president of Gordon’s. Lang, a long-time Zale employee, will be responsible for merchandising and operations and will report to Zale Corp. chief executive officer Betsy Burton.

“We would like to thank Frank for his many years of service and dedication to the Company,” Burton said. “He has made numerous contributions over his 20 years, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Mroczka, 49, has been senior vice president and president of Gordon’s since 2003. Earlier, he was Gordon’s senior vice president of store operations (1997) and director of stores for Gordon’s western division (1993). He joined the company in 1983.

Lang comes to Gordon’s from the Zales Jewelers brand where he was responsible for the direction and execution of merchandising strategy for the watch, diamond fashion, and solitaire categories. He joined Zale Corp. in 1996 and has more than 15 years of merchandising experience, including management positions at Zales, Gordon’s, Bailey Banks and Biddle, and Zale Canada.

The company also announced that Sterling Pope, currently senior vice president of store operations for Zale Canada, will also take over store operations for the Zales brand. In his new role as senior vice president of store operations for Zale North America, Pope will continue to report to John Zimmermann, Group President of Zale North America.

JCK