A familiar face returns to Tilly's as CEO

Teen apparel and footwear retailer Tilly's has tapped an executive who previously led the company to fill the shoes of Daniel Griesemer who stepped down as president, CEO and a member of the board effective Oct. 7.



Replacing Griesemer is Edmond Thomas, an executive who served as Tillys president and co-CEO from Sept. 2005 to Oct. 2007. Thomas most recently served as CEO of the troubled Wet Seal apparel chain. He had left Tillys in 2007 to serve as president and CEO of Wet Seal and held that position until 2011, when he became a partner in the private investment firm of KarpReilly.



Thomas was lured back to Wet Seal in September 2014 following a revolving door of CEOs. He led the company through its January 2015 bankruptcy filing and sale in April, 2015, to Versa Capital Management. Thomas left Wet Seal in August.



Tillys operates 219 stores that offer a mix of West Coast-inspired apparel, footwear and accessories. The company reported net sales of $130 million its most recent quarter, up 6% from $123 million for the same period last year.



The company’s executive chairman of the board, Hezy Shaked, said Tillys is extremely pleased to appoint Thomas to the CEO role.



“Based on his track record, extensive industry experience and depth of insight into Tillys, Ed (Thomas) is uniquely qualified for this position, “Shaked said. “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.”



Thomas said he was honored to be leading Tillys again at such a dynamic time in the company’s history.



“Tillys has a strong history of success and leadership in the industry, and I am excited to build upon that foundation,” Thomas said.