America’s Wilsons the Leather Experts has announced that the company’s long-serving chairman and CEO Joel N. Waller will step down from his position by January 31, 2005. Mr Waller, 65 - who has been with the company for 28 years and has served as CEO for 21 years – said the time is right for a change of leadership. A replacement is currently being sought and the company hopes to make an announcement concerning this within one month.
A leading retailer of apparel and accessories, Wilsons implemented a turnaround plan earlier this year to improve profitability, streamlining operations and closing 111 unprofitable stores. “The business is on the right track for success,” said Waller, who took the company from a regional concept to a nationally recognised brand.
