McDonald's Corp. has announced the retirement of current CFO Matthew Paull, of the $21.6 billion corporation that franchises and operates McDonald's restaurants, with headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill. Paull, who has served as CFO since 2001 has decided to pursue a career in teaching. The company will begin its internal and external search in the near future. Paull has agreed to stay through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.

Circuit City Stores, Inc. named Bruce Besanko CFO and executive vice president of the $12.4 billion retailer of consumer electronics and related services, with headquarters in Richmond, Va. Besanko joins Circuit City from The Yankee Candle where he served as CFO and senior vice president since April 2005. From 2002 to 2005 he assumed the role of vice president of finance for Best Buy Co., Inc. Prior to that he spent 6 years with Sears Roebuck's & Co. performing various financial leadership roles. From 1992 to 1996 he assumed finance, accounting and treasury positions with Atlantic Richfield Co.

The Hershey Co. the $4.9 billion manufacturer of chocolate and sugar confectionery products, with in headquarters in Hershey, Pa., appointed Bert Alfonso CFO and senior vice president. Alfonso joined Hershey in July 2006 to assume the role of vice president of finance and planning of U.S. Commercial Group. Prior to Hershey, he was named vice president of finance, global supply chain for Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages and was later promoted to CFO and executive vice president of finance. Before Cadbury, Alfonso was CFO and vice president for the Adams division of Pfizer, Inc. And from 1983 to 2000, he held numerous financial positions of increasing responsibility at Warner-Lambert Co.