Harry & David Hires Financial Industry Veteran Michael Schwindle As Chief Financial Officer
12/19/2011 - Medford, Ore. (Business Wire)--Harry & David announced it has hired Michael Schwindle as the gifting
authority and retailer’s new CFO. In a personal letter addressed to employees, CEO Craig Johnson confirmed that Mr. Schwindle will join the organization on Wednesday, December 28. “Michael will report directly to me and lead all finance and accounting functions. He will help us define and develop our business vision and future strategies; ensuring that Harry & David has a solid financial foundation to drive future operations and growth,” said Mr. Johnson in the employee letter. Mr. Schwindle succeeds Paul Kosturos from Alvarez & Marsal, who was serving as interim CFO, and will work with Mr. Schwindle though a transition period.
“My family and I look forward to relocating back to the Medford area and I am thrilled to be joining the talented Harry & David team,” said Mr. Schwindle. “I am excited to work alongside Craig to implement Harry & David’s long term profitable growth strategies.”
Mr. Schwindle has over 20 years of experience in finance and strategic management. His background includes 10+ years of senior executive leadership experience, delivering results through profit improvement in growth environments, and ten years of operational experience (store operations, call centers, inventory planning, and supply chain) with an emphasis in retail and ecommerce.
Before joining Harry & David, Mr. Schwindle was the CFO for Empire Today, located in Northlake, Illinois, the nation’s 3rd largest flooring installer. Prior to Empire Today, Michael was the CFO of Musician’s Friend, located in Medford, Oregon, where he was responsible for a team of 55 employees, covering finance and accounting, inventory management, acquisition integration and compliance functions.
Additionally, Mr. Schwindle has held several senior-level financial leadership roles at companies such as The Home Depot, Limited Brands and Longaberger Company. He holds an M.B.A. in International Business and a B.A. in Business from Wright State University, located in Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Johnson said, “I am confident that Michael will be instrumental to our success and will provide great leadership as we work to implement Harry & David’s profitable, multi-channel growth objectives and maintain our best-in-class products, customer service and best guarantee in the business.”
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