CEO departures increased in January

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CHICAGO, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- The number of U.S. chief executive officers leaving their jobs increased in January, led by healthcare and hospital executives, an employment firm said Friday.

Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas said 113 CEOs left their jobs in January -- 9.7 percent more than in December, when 103 left their jobs, and the most departures in a month since January 2012, when 126 CEOs left.

Healthcare companies and hospitals lost 23 CEOS in January. Thirteen computer companies CEOs left their jobs and 12 CEOs departed from financial firms, Challenger, Gray & Christmas said.

Among the noted departures, Frank Petrilli at E-Trade Financial resigned to take the board chairman job and Lou D'Ambrosio is stepping down at Sears Holdings, Supervalu CEO Wayne Sales is being replaced by Sam Duncan, former CEO at OfficeMax.

Retailer dEliA's board said CEO Walter Killough will not be granted another contract.

The departures include 30 who resigned, 25 of whom are taking other jobs at their companies, most often on the board of directors.

Twenty-four CEOs said they were retiring in January. Thirteen said they had found jobs in other companies.