Vera Bradley Inc. today announced that it has hired OfficeMax Inc. executive Thomas R. Giacalone as its vice president of e-commerce.

As the handbag maker and online retailer’s e-commerce chief, Giacalone will oversee VeraBradley.com, as well the brand’s digital operations, which includes its direct sales and wholesale divisions.

Giacalone had been OfficeMax’s vice president of omnichannel strategy since 2012. Prior to that, he worked at Sears Holdings Corp., where he held a variety of positions, including divisional vice president/general manager of multichannel management. Giacalone also serves on Shop.org’s member services committee. 

“Growing our e-commerce business is a critical piece of our five-year strategic plan and we are very fortunate to have someone of Tom Giacalone’s background and caliber join Vera Bradley to lead this important function,” says Robert Wallstrom, the retailer’s CEO.   

Giancalone will report to the retailer’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer, once Vera Bradley fills that position. In the meantime, he will report to Wallstrom. 

Vera Bradley is No. 194 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide.

The merger of rival office supplies chain Office Depot and OfficeMax to form a new company that took the Office Depot name has led to a number of executives of those retailers taking jobs elsewhere. For example, Lands’ End this month named Steven Rado, the former senior vice president of customer strategy as its marketing chief.