Goldberg, 48, will also be a member of the Zale board ofdirectors. He has 27 years of experience at companies such asMacy's Victoria's Secret and Gap Inc. Betsy Burton, who has serveda short term as CEO since being promoted from director in February2006, will advise the company in a two-year consultingagreement.

"I believe Neal is ideally suited to lead at this time," saidZale chairman Jack Lowe in a conference call Wednesday. "He'sproven to be a strong merchant and a skilled operator."

Chuck Crovitz, interim CEO for the Children's Place, willdirectly oversee the responsibilities and management team until apermanent replacement is named. The children's apparel retailer isnot providing full comparative financial results until it canbecome current with SEC reporting, but admitted at its thirdquarter report that net income and operating profit droppedsignificantly. Problems have hit the company in missed deadlines torenovate Disney Stores, and top executive violations. The company,which had a high stock point of $66.38 in the past year, had anending stock price of $27.06 Wednesday. The company owns 911Children's Place stores and 330 Disney Stores.