Jan Rogers Kniffen

Kniffen is the founder of J. Rogers Kniffen Worldwide Enterprises LLC, which provides private equity research and financial and management consulting to the research sector. He previously spent 20 years with The May Department Stores Company (May) in various operating and financial roles, most recently as Senior Vice President Finance and Treasurer. Kniffen was also President of May National Bank, which issued consumer credit to May’s 130M retail customers.  In addition, he was president of May’s captive insurance subsidiaries. Kniffen joined May in 1985 to execute the purchase of Associated Dry Goods in 1986 which, at the time, was the largest retail acquisition in history.  Following that he was also responsible for the Foley’s and Filene’s acquisitions, the spin-off of Venture Stores, the sale of Caldor, the spin-off of Payless Shoe Source (now Collective Brands), and the funding of several smaller acquisitions. Prior to joining May,Kniffen spent two years reporting to the treasurer of Icahn & Co. doing acquisitions and divestitures. Mr Kniffen majored in English at the University of Illinois. Mr. Kniffen holds a degree in journalism from Southern Illinois University and a MBA from Lindenwood University. Kniffen did his doctoral work in finance at St. Louis University.