Tilly’s Inc. announced that its President and CEO Daniel Griesemer stepped down Wednesday and will be replaced October 12 by Edmond Thomas, who most recently ran Wet Seal. Thomas will also replace Greisemer on the retailer's board of directors.
Thomas served as the company’s president and co-chief executive officer from September 2005 to October 2007. He most recently served as chief executive officer and director of The Wet Seal, Inc. from September 2014 to August 2015, and as a partner of KarpReilly, LLC, a private investment firm focused on small to mid-size growth companies, from February 2011 to August 2014. Thomas also served as president and chief executive officer of The Wet Seal, Inc. from October 2007 to January 2011.
“We are extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Ed Thomas as Tillys’ president and CEO,” said Hezy Shaked, executive chairman of the company’s board of directors. “Based on his track record, extensive industry experience and depth of insight into Tillys, Ed is uniquely qualified for this position. In addition to his broad-ranging operational and strategic experience, Ed’s leadership skills and passion make him the ideal choice to lead Tillys into the future, and we are confident that under his direction, we can drive long-term growth and profitability and create significant value for stockholders.”
Shaked continued, “On behalf of the board and everyone at Tillys, I sincerely thank Dan for his many valuable contributions.”
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead Tillys again, and in such a dynamic time in the history of the Company,” said Thomas. “Tillys has a strong history of success and leadership in the industry, and I am excited to build upon that foundation.”
Tillys operates 219 stores.
