4-H Salutes JCPenney's Gary Davis for Excellence in Leadership.

PLANO, Texas -- The National 4-H Council has honored JCPenney (NYSE:JCP) executive Gary Davis by creating the Gary L. Davis Excellence in Leadership Award. Davis was recognized for 10 years of dedication and service to 4-H and the national youth development organization. He follows in the long tradition of JCPenney's founder, James Cash Penney, who supported 4-H for many years.

During the years ahead, the annual Leadership Award will enable student recipients to fund the 4-H Afterschool program of their choice.

Davis is chief human resources and administration officer of JCPenney, one of the nation's largest retailers. He also chairs JCPenney Afterschool Fund. JCPenney Afterschool is a program that has contributed more than $34 million to promote and support afterschool programs nationwide.

In presenting the award, Don Floyd, president and CEO of the National 4-H Council, said, "Gary Davis lives the tradition and values of JCPenney -- a commitment to excellence and service to the community. He passionately helped 4-H develop its Afterschool programs to providing young people with access to enriching learning experiences. He clearly has an intense commitment to youth and the future of America."

Davis was presented with a bronze sculpture illustrating the four H's -- head, heart, hands and health -- during his final meeting as chairman of the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees.

About 4-H

The National 4-H Council, headquartered in Chevy Chase, Md., is the private sector partner of the 4-H youth development program and it works closely with its federal government counterpart, the Cooperative Extension System of the United States Department of Agriculture. 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. Over seven-million youth participate in university-based 4-H programs in their urban, suburban and rural communities to gain these skills through experience-based activities, working together with educators, volunteers and mentors.

About JCPenney

JCPenney is one of America's largest department store, catalog, and e-commerce retailers, employing approximately 150,000 associates. The company operates 1,018 JCPenney department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, and 60 Renner department stores in Brazil. JCPenney Catalog, including e-commerce, is the nation's largest catalog merchant of general merchandise, and jcpenney.com is one of the largest apparel and home furnishings sites on the Internet.

About JCPenney Afterschool

The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization contributing financial support to five of America's leading after school advocates -- the YMCA of the USA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 4-H, Junior Achievement and the Afterschool Alliance. Support from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund helps provide safe, fun and educational after school programs and raise awareness of the need for more such programs across the country. The fund has contributed more than $34 million during the past five years.