Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) announced today that Sharon McCollamhas retired from the company and will also retire from the company’s Board of Directors on March 16, 2012.Laura Alber, the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “On behalf of the board and seniormanagement team, I want to thank Sharon for her many contributions over the last 12 years. She has been a highlyinfluential cross-functional leader with a key focus on company-wide financial and operational disciplines, and wewish her well in her future endeavors.”McCollam said, “For over 10 years, I have had the privilege of working for one of the greatest companies in theworld. Over that time, it has grown from $1 billion to $4 billion in revenues, launched iconic new brands, andbecome one of the largest internet retailers in America. But what I will remember the most of my time at Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the pride I have felt working with one of the most talented and inspiring teams in retail. Theorganization is deep in tenure and I leave knowing that it has never been as well-positioned as it is today to take itsmulti-channel strategies to the next level. I would like to thank my incredible team of so many years for theirpersonal dedication and extraordinary contributions to the company’s success. I would also like to thank Laura, ourboard, and our shareholders for their many years of support.”The company also announced that Julie Whalen, SVP, Corporate Controller and Treasurer, will serve as the ActingChief Financial Officer. Whalen joined Williams-Sonoma, Inc. in 2001 as a leader in the Financial Planningorganization and was promoted to Vice President, Corporate Controller in 2003. In 2011, she assumed the additionalrole of Treasurer. Whalen began her career in public accounting with KPMG Peat Marwick. She is a Certified PublicAccountant and holds a law degree from Pepperdine University. “I have the utmost confidence in Julie’s leadership as the Acting Chief Financial Officer,” said McCollam. “Julie hasbeen my strategic partner since the day she joined the company in 2001. Her expertise and leadership skills havetaken the company’s financial disciplines to new levels and, most recently, she has spearheaded the financial and taxaspects of our business development and global-expansion strategies.”