Shoe Carnival, Inc. elected Jeff Gerstel, president and chief executive officer of Dressbarn, a subsidiary of Ascena Retail Group, Inc., and Andrea Guthrie, formerly SVP of strategic new businesses at Claire’s Stores, Inc., as independent directors, effective September 15, 2015. With these additions, Shoe Carnival’s Board has eight directors, six of whom are independent.
Cliff Sifford, president and CEO, said, “We are pleased to welcome Jeff and Andrea, two experienced leaders with strong specialty retail growth and branded company experience, to our board of directors. We believe they will bring valuable perspectives to the board, and we look forward to leveraging their knowledge and insight as Shoe Carnival expands its multi-channel sales initiative in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.”
Gerstel has served as President and CEO of dressbarn, a leading specialty retailer offering clothing, shoes, and accessories for misses and plus-size women, since 2011. Gerstel joined dressbarn in 2006 and has held a variety of senior executive positions during his tenure with the company, including Executive VP and COO and Senior VP of Operations. Prior to that, he was Executive VP of Operations of A.C. Moore from 2004 to 2006. He also held executive roles at Rag Shop, Parts Plus, and Factory 2-U including President, COO, CFO, and Executive VP of Operations, respectively, from 1990 to 2004.
Guthrie served as Senior VP of Strategic New Businesses at Claire’s Stores, Inc., one of the world’s leading specialty retailers of jewelry and accessories for young women, teens, tweens, and kids, from 2009 to 2014. Prior to that, Guthrie was a Principal at The Boston Consulting Group, where she led client projects and addressed strategic and operational issues, with a particular emphasis on the retail and consumer industries, from 2002 to 2009. She held merchandising roles with A|X Armani Exchange and Saks Fifth Avenue from 1993 to 1999.
