Fossil, a global design, marketing and distribution company, has appointed Thomas Nealon to its board of directors, effective April 16.

Nealon, who joined J.C. Penney in 2006 as chief information officer, held that position until his promotion to group executive vice president in 2010, prior to departing the company in December 2011. He also has held positions at Electronic Data Systems; Southwest Airlines; IT management consultancy firm The Feld Group; and Frito-Lay, serving in various information technology roles, including two years as chief information officer.

Nealon's appointment increases the board's size to twelve directors, ten of whom are independent.