ICSC Taps Deloitte's McGee as Next CEO

NEW YORK CITY—The International Council of Shopping Centers has named Thomas McGee, vice chairman at Deloitte LLP, as its next president and CEO, only the fourth in the association's 58-year history. Effective Sept. 21, McGee will succeed Michael Kercheval, who earlier this year announced plans to retire after serving as head of ICSC since May 2001.

McGee's tenure with his current organization is even longer: he joined Deloitte in 1989 and held a variety of global and US leadership roles before becoming vice chairman. These have included deputy CEO; national managing partner of merger & acquisition services; global chief of staff; and membership of Deloitte's global and US executive and operational leadership committees.

The new ICSC leader's client service and global experience “were very important qualities to the search committee,” says Stephen D. Lebovitz, president and CEO of CBL & Associates Properties Inc. and the council's 2015–2016 chairman. “He has an understanding of how to manage an organization with diverse constituencies around the globe, including different sizes of organizations at various stages of development.”

Part of ICSC's future success, says McGee, will be measured by how well it continues to communicate the critical role the shopping center industry plays in economic development and opportunity in every country around the globe. To that end, Lebovitz points to McGee's experience with the media as a plus in helping ICSC deliver that message. McGee has appeared on CNBC, Bloomberg and Fox Business, and is frequently quoted in national media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and CFO magazine.

McGee says communications is key when it comes to effective management. “Clarity of strategy and clarity of purpose are critical,” he says. “I like people to feel they're part of a team and that they know and appreciate their importance to the team.”