Closeout veteran named CEO at Tuesday Morning

According to the operator of 850 stores, the board was searching for what it called a "master merchandiser," and believed Churches’ track record of merchandising excellence, combined with his high-energy, entrepreneurial mindset would serve Tuesday Morning very well.

"We were particularly drawn to his demonstrated success engaging retail customers with the best products delivered at excellent values," said Tuesday Morning chairman Bruce Quinnell. "This is the core of the Tuesday Morning mission, and the board is confident that our customers, employees, and shareholders will benefit from his leadership."

Churches joins Tuesday Morning from Columbus, OH-based Marketing Results, Ltd., where he served as President. He began his career in 1976 at Big Lots, Inc., where over 20 years he served in roles of increasing responsibility that included serving as president from 1993-1995. He served as President of Mazel Stores from 1995 to 2002 and president of Value City Department Stores Home Store Division, from 2002-2006.

"Tuesday Morning possesses a loyal customer base and a competitively-differentiated business model that will be enhanced by new merchandising strategies and sharpened customer focus," Churches said. "I am eager to provide the strategic insight and operational expertise to unlock the Company’s potential in this regard, and I am confident that a renewed sense of purpose will yield the improved performance our stakeholders expect and deserve."

His appointment follows the unceremonious dismissal of former CEO Kathleen Mason on June 6. At that time, the company said she had been relieved of her duties and chairman Quinnell noted, "the board of directors concluded it was the right time to transition leadership to a new executive who will guide the company through its next stage."

Mason would later assert that her dismissal was related to a diagnosis of breast cancer, a charged refuted by Tuesday morning.