NATIONAL OFFICERS
John Gresham, President
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I wanted to introduce myself as the new President of the National HCSC Club. I worked for JCPenney for 43 years and now 9 years with the Alumni Club since retiring in 2013. I started in Kinston, NC then moved to District Staff in Raleigh, NC, New York Office, Dallas, TX Home Office, Florence, SC, Atlanta, Ga on Regional Staff, Jacksonville, Fl back to Atlanta, Ga, Washington, DC then to Sterling Heights, MI. I joined the Southeast HCSC Alumni Club in 2013 and became the President of the Southeast Club in 2017/2018 and then joined the National HCSC Alumni Club as a board member in 2020. Linda and I retired to Rock Hill, SC to be close to our families in NC/SC/GA and built our dream home on Lake Wylie. Linda is from Hartsville, SC and I'm from Clarksville, TN. We really enjoy having family and friends over to our home to enjoy activities on the lake. I'm an avid Alabama football fan. When I was a teenager, my uncle worked for Bear Bryant as the trainer and when a player got hurt he would run out on the field, when watching TV I would say there goes Uncle Jimmy. Our mission is to continue to support our Local Regional Meeting Groups and to encourage retired JCP associates to join those RMG Clubs as well as building relationships with our former and current JCP associates. .
John Chapman 1st Vice President
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My career with JCPenney began at age 16 in my hometown of Columbus, GA. It was intended to be a three-month summer job but ended up lasting over 37 years. My first job was pumping gas on the Auto Center Gas Island. My final assignment was Store Manager in Little Rock, AR. In between were assignments in 10 stores, 1 district office, and 1 special assignment.
Those assignments spanned 8 markets across the states of Georgia, Delaware, Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Each time, we worked with many great partners and made many lifelong friends. Those partners are the exact reason that I value our great HCSC Alumni Club.
After retirement, I spent 7 years working with the Arkansas State Fair Association while also serving as a ministry leader in our local church. About a year after retirement, I found that I really missed my Penney partners and joined the Alumni Club. During my 16 years in the club, I had the honor of serving a term as Southeastern RMG Second Vice President followed by a year as President. After about an 18-month break, I have accepted the invitation to serve as your National First Vice President.
About 7 years ago, my wife Becky and I moved back to the beautiful Northeast Tennessee area which was one of our duty stations along the way. She has been by my side over 50 years and was the glue that held it all together during those relocations. My best decision ever was getting to know that pretty girl that worked in Sportswear while I was working in the Auto Center.
Besides the joy of our Alumni Club activities, we have been blessed with some great travel opportunities including being able to attend the Golden Rule Day celebration in the town of Kemmerer, WY where Mr. Penney operated his first store. What a thrill it was to walk through his home alongside two of his granddaughters.
As we move forward, my hope is to gather as much input as possible on ways that we can make our club even more meaningful and valuable, thus increasing both our membership and participation. Your suggestions and input will always be appreciated. Together, our legacy of partnership continues.
Sharon Winkle ​
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After graduating from Montclair State University in New Jersey in 1972, I began my JCPenney career as the second woman hired as an Accounting Trainee in the Company’s New York Office Finance Department.
After several supervisory positions in the Fixed Assets, Financial Reporting, and Payroll Departments (working with Frank Arnone, Don Christensen, Fred Mucha, and Dick Tobin), I accepted a promotional transfer to Human Resources as Project Manager in the Compensation Department working with Tom Clerkin and Don Finn.
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After participating in the Home Office move to Plano in 1988, I transferred to the Benefits Department and spent much of my time implementing Managed Care networks aimed at controlling the Company’s spiraling healthcare costs. In 1995, I was promoted to Benefits Director, and over the next few years worked with my experienced team to outsource administration of the Company’s benefits program to Hewitt Associates which became known as ”PowerLine.” During this time, I was also fortunate to work with such experienced leaders as George Kapplinger, Bruce Hill, Gary Davis, and Gale Duff-Bloom.
I retired in January 2010 as V.P., Compensation and Benefits, celebrating 37 ½ years with JCPenney.
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Many H.C.S.C. members would remember me as “Sharon Leight” when I was married to my late husband, Gil Leight. After retirement, I was fortunate to meet (on Eharmony, no less!) retired Air Force Navigator, Steve Winkle, who had also recently lost his spouse. Steve and I have been married almost five years now, living in Highland Village, TX and, between us, have five children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Life is good!
Karen Bell, Treasurer
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