MajorsFeb 27, 2024
Nikia Levesque Joins WJA Board as Foundation VPMajorsFeb 29, 2024
Signet Appoints Former Cracker Barrel CEO to Board
Sandra Cochran has more than 25 years of retail experience.
Sandra Cochran, the former CEO of Cracker Barrel, has been appointed to Signet Jewelers’ board of directors.
Akron, Ohio—Signet Jewelers has named Sandra Cochran, the former CEO of Cracker Barrel, to its board of directors.
Cochran, who has more than 25 years of retail experience, joined the restaurant chain in 2009 as its chief financial officer and was named president and chief operating officer in 2010.
She led the chain as its CEO from September 2011 through November 2023 and served as the company’s executive chair until Feb. 22 of this year.
Prior to her time at Cracker Barrel, she was the CEO of Books-A-Million, Inc. from 2004 to 2009.
She currently also serves on the board of Lowe's Companies, Inc and formerly was on the boards of Cracker Barrel and Dollar General Corporation.
Related stories will be right here …
Cochran, who has more than 25 years of retail experience, joined the restaurant chain in 2009 as its chief financial officer and was named president and chief operating officer in 2010.
She led the chain as its CEO from September 2011 through November 2023 and served as the company’s executive chair until Feb. 22 of this year.
Prior to her time at Cracker Barrel, she was the CEO of Books-A-Million, Inc. from 2004 to 2009.
She currently also serves on the board of Lowe's Companies, Inc and formerly was on the boards of Cracker Barrel and Dollar General Corporation.
"Sandy's rich background in retail, coupled with her strong executive leadership skills and deep financial expertise, will make her an incredibly valuable member of the Signet board of directors," said Board Chairman H. Todd Stitzer.
“She embodies the combination of skills we need to continue to build the Signet of the future. I'm thrilled to welcome Sandy to the board and believe that her experience in critical areas like marketing, risk management and strategic planning will help to further support Signet's transformation, led by CEO Gina Drosos.”
Cochran shared her excitement about joining the jeweler’s board.
"I'm delighted to join the Signet Board and see so much overlap between the work that I led at Cracker Barrel and the focus that Signet has on investing in the customer experience and leveraging loyalty, technology and personalization to help drive the business," said Cochran.
"I look forward to helping Signet execute on its strategic priorities while also continuing to ‘Inspire Love’ around the world."
Signet’s board also appointed Cochran as a member of its Human Capital Management and Compensation Committee.
Her appointment will temporarily increase the size of the board from 12 to 13 members, 12 of whom are independent, as Signet transitions to tenure limitations being reached on the board under the company’s Director Tenure Policy, the company said.
More on Majors
The Latest
Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYCThe new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ EarringsTake a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.
IndependentsOct 17, 2025
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
IndependentsOct 16, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffrey Zimmer Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry ServiceThe new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ CollectionThe brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy CoreyCorey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.
CrimeOct 15, 2025
Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for 2023 Murder of Colorado JewelerCharles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MADThe Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
JCK, Luxury to Debut New Watch Section in Vegas Next YearTimepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.
AuctionsOct 15, 2025
Christie's Announces New Jewelry Department LeadershipThe auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom DixonAs chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper FlaggThe parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
