Arts and crafts retailer Joann has appointed Michael Prendergast as acting CEO amid its transition into a private company.
Prendergast, currently the MD of Alvarez & Marsal’s Consumer and Retail Group, brings over 20 years of leadership experience from the fashion and consumer products industries. He has served as CEO and Interim CEO for several retail companies throughout his career.
Joann added that Chris DiTullio and Scott Sekella had served as co-leads of the interim office since May last year as the company went through Chapter 11 bankruptcy. DiTullio and Sekella will continue their roles as chief customer officer and chief financial officer, respectively.
The company has also appointed Mary Campbell, Joe Hartsig, Darrell Horn, Michelle Israel, and Bill Wall as new members of the board of directors.
“On behalf of the board, we’d like to thank Chris and Scott for their extraordinary leadership through the past year, which has brought the company to its strongest financial foundation in many years,” said Darrell Horn, interim chairman of the board at Joann.
“We are confident Michael’s expertise in retail will help the company continue its positive momentum while we commence a search for the new president and CEO, and we look forward to a bright future for this unique brand.”