Bob Ulrich has been CEO of Target Stores since 1987, CEO of Target Corporation since 1994. In 2007, he’s CEO of the Year, named by a panel of his peers and profiled in the June issue of Chief Executive magazine.

Editor and interviewer J. P. Donlon observes that the selection of a down-to-earth, team-oriented Ulrich is in keeping with the times—this being the post–imperial CEO era. He also writes that the selection committee was mindful of Target’s sustained performance over 20 years and “the degree of difficulty involved—not everyone has to battle Wal-Mart as a competitor.”

Total Return to Shareholders

Five Years Ended 3/31/07     Indexed to 3/31/02 = $100

            Lowe’s             $147

            Target             $142

            S&P 500          $135

            Walgreens        $120

            Kohl’s              $108

            Safeway            $83

            Wal-Mart          $81

            Home Depot     $80

Source: Chief Executive