Rural Manchester Native Named New Target CEO

A Delaware County native is being named as the next CEO of Target.

Forty-nine-year-old Michael Fiddelke will take over the head position of Target in February when the current chief, Brian Cornell, steps down. Fiddelke has been with the Minneapolis-based Target for 22 years and is currently serving as its chief operating officer. 

In a video released on the company website, he talks about growing up at Target: 

The Target Corporation says Fiddelke is known for his ability to modernize the business and accelerate growth. He currently leads Target’s nearly 2,000 stores, its global supply chain network, fulfillment services including same-day delivery with Shipt, enterprise services and properties.

Since joining Target in 2003 as an intern, Michael has held a variety of leadership positions across the organization, including finance, merchandising, human resources and operations. As chief operating officer, and previously chief financial officer, he has overseen investments to build and scale the company’s stores, supply chain, digital capabilities and team, which enabled exponential growth across the business. Michael also spearheaded Target’s enterprise efficiency efforts, enabling the company to improve profitability and to fuel areas of innovation and growth.

Target is seeing some financial struggles, as Wednesday’s release of second quarter earnings showed net sales were down about one-percent from last year, while the report showed operating income was down almost 20-percent from a year ago.

Fiddelke grew up on a farm near Manchester and is a University of Iowa graduate. 

story courtesy of Radio Iowa; photo courtesy of Target