More changes at David’s Bridal
David’s Bridal has made two senior leadership appointments that come on the heels of a new CEO taking the company’s reins.
Bob Walker has been appointed chief field operations and store experience officer, overseeing stores and the store support teams, effective July 18. Most recently, he served as senior managing partner at Ocean Retail Consulting. Prior to that, he was senior VP retail stores and operations, Gander Mountain. He also held leadership roles at Heartland Automotive Services, Ashley Furniture and Circuit City Stores Inc.
Jeff Warzel was named chief supply chain officer, effective July 31. He will oversee David's Bridal's joint venture partnership as well as distribution and logistics, planning and replenishment, production & costing, quality control and vendor compliance. Warzel previously worked at David's Bridal in supply chain from 2003 through 2014. Before and after David's, he held senior roles in supply chain, strategy and business integration in large retailers and as an independent consultant.
"I am thrilled to welcome Bob and Jeff to the David's Bridal team," said James Marcum, who was named CEO of David’s Bridal in June. "Both leaders bring exceptional leadership, vision, and expertise to the brand as we work diligently towards our omnichannel transformation and creating a best in class experience for our customer.”
Prior to David’s Bridal, Marcum served as senior operating partner with private equity firm Apollo Global Management. He was also interim CEO at now-defunct Circuit City.
David’s Bridal filed for Chapter 11 in November 2018, and emerged some two months later with about $450 million less in debt. But the company’s financial positioning continues to raise concerns. In May, analysts with S&P said that the chain’s debt levels were "potentially unsustainable based on its rapidly weakening operating performance, which makes it vulnerable to unfavorable business and financial conditions to meet its commitments in the long term."
The retailer is also working to right itself in a category that has been disrupted by online players and evolving marriage trends as millennials continue to delay marriage.
Bob Walker has been appointed chief field operations and store experience officer, overseeing stores and the store support teams, effective July 18. Most recently, he served as senior managing partner at Ocean Retail Consulting. Prior to that, he was senior VP retail stores and operations, Gander Mountain. He also held leadership roles at Heartland Automotive Services, Ashley Furniture and Circuit City Stores Inc.
Jeff Warzel was named chief supply chain officer, effective July 31. He will oversee David's Bridal's joint venture partnership as well as distribution and logistics, planning and replenishment, production & costing, quality control and vendor compliance. Warzel previously worked at David's Bridal in supply chain from 2003 through 2014. Before and after David's, he held senior roles in supply chain, strategy and business integration in large retailers and as an independent consultant.
"I am thrilled to welcome Bob and Jeff to the David's Bridal team," said James Marcum, who was named CEO of David’s Bridal in June. "Both leaders bring exceptional leadership, vision, and expertise to the brand as we work diligently towards our omnichannel transformation and creating a best in class experience for our customer.”
Prior to David’s Bridal, Marcum served as senior operating partner with private equity firm Apollo Global Management. He was also interim CEO at now-defunct Circuit City.
David’s Bridal filed for Chapter 11 in November 2018, and emerged some two months later with about $450 million less in debt. But the company’s financial positioning continues to raise concerns. In May, analysts with S&P said that the chain’s debt levels were "potentially unsustainable based on its rapidly weakening operating performance, which makes it vulnerable to unfavorable business and financial conditions to meet its commitments in the long term."
The retailer is also working to right itself in a category that has been disrupted by online players and evolving marriage trends as millennials continue to delay marriage.