Genesco tries on a new general counsel for size

Footwear retailer Genesco Inc. has hired Scott Becker to be senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary, effective next week. He succeeds Roger Sisson who retired from Genesco earlier this year.

Becker comes to Genesco with more than 30 years of legal, financial and administrative experience. Most recently, he’s been an in-house attorney with Nissan Group of North America and Latin America, where since 2006 he served in a number of roles. Since 2009, he was a senior vice president with responsibilities for Nissan’s legal, government affairs, finance, strategy and administration.

Becker joined Nissan from Sears Holdings Corp., where he was senior counsel, commercial litigation; assistant general counsel, litigation; associate general counsel, litigation; and vice president and deputy general counsel, retail operations, real estate and services. He was chief attorney for Sears and Kmart’s full line, as well as its auto operations and home services He began his legal career with several Chicago area law firms

Genesco Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Dennis, said, “Scott brings a wealth of legal, financial and strategic experience to the Genesco senior executive team. His broad background and leadership as a chief legal officer coupled with his global experience, especially in the areas of corporate securities, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and compliance, real estate, labor and employment, and litigation, will be valuable strategic assets to the Company as we build upon Genesco’s recent success.”

Becker received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Chicago, and earned a juris doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.