Mike Edwards

Current

Executive Vice President Chief Merchandising Officer at Borders

Past

President and CEO at Ellington Leather
Chairman and Investor at Muttropolis
President & CEO and Director at lucy activewear

EVP Operations at Jo Ann Stores
EVP Merchandising and CMO at West Marine
Chairman of the Board at iGo
VP and GMM at Golfsmith
SVP and GMM at CompUSA
Merchandise Manager at Target Stores
Buyer at May Department Stores

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Education

Drexel University
Neshaminy High School

Recommended

32 people have recommended Mike

Connections

500+ connections

Industry

Retail

Websites

Mike Edwards’s Summary

Mike Edwards has worked for over 20 years in the retail and consumer products industries.

• Mike recently was President and CEO of lucy activewear. In three years he reinvented the troubled sportswear company that had 10 stores and no e-commerce site into the Brand of the Year for 2007 by the International Council of Shopping Centers. Today lucy has over 60 stores and a successful web business and was sold in August to VF Corporation for (NYSE: VFC) 110M dollars. The investors behind lucy were Oak Investment Partners, Sutter Hill Ventures, Maveron LLC, Lone Pine Capital, and Chico’s FAS.

• Mike was part of a turn around team that moved Jo Ann Stores 2B in sales (NYSE: JAS) from near a bankrupt state to a highly profitable company. In the three years Mike served as Executive Vice President of Operations the stock moved from 3.00/share to 29.00/share and was one of the best performing stocks on the NYSE. Mike was responsible for making significant changes to the operating performance to increase earnings, sales, and customer satisfaction.

• At West Marine (NASDAQ:WMAR) 700M in sales, Mike streamlined the merchandise, marketing and store strategies for the highly specialized retailer. The company’s performance increased significantly as a result of his strategic brand and product initiatives.

• At CompUSA, Mike was part of a founding team that helped grow the company from 100M to over 5B in sales over an 8 year time frame. Mike held both the positions of Senior Vice President of Operations and Senior Vice President and GMM during his tenure. Mike was considered a leader in the technology industry through his partnership with key vendors such as Apple and Microsoft.

•Mike has or currently is serving on the board of directors for iGo Corporation (Chairman), lucy, Portland State University, Midway Companies, Muttropolis( Chairman) and the International Council of Shopping Centers and the ICSC Environmental Committee.

Mike Edwards’s Specialties:

Marketing and Branding
Product Development
Real Estate and Market Development
Store Operations and Customer Service Leadership
Board leadership and funding Strategies

Mike Edwards’s Experience

Executive Vice President Chief Merchandising Officer

Borders

(Public Company; BGP; Retail industry)

September 2009 — Present (3 months)

Borders Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates book, music and movie superstores, and mall-based bookstores. The Company's operating subsidiaries include Borders, Inc. (Borders), Walden Book Company, Inc. (Waldenbooks) and Borders Australia Pty Limited. The Company’s operates in three segments: Borders Superstores, Waldenbooks Specialty Retail stores and International stores. At January 31, 2009, it operated 518 superstores under the Borders name, including 515 in the United States and three in Puerto Rico. The Company also operated 386 mall-based and other small format bookstores, including stores operated under the Waldenbooks, Borders Express and Borders Outlet names, as well as Borders-branded airport stores

www.borders.com
President and CEO

Ellington Leather

(Apparel & Fashion industry)

January 2009 — September 2009 (9 months)

For over 20 years, Ellington has been making practical yet fashionable accessories for women.

What began in 1986 as a small family business with one product—the Original Ellington Rucksack—has since grown into an extensive line of accessories driven by a dedicated group of creative individuals. In 2006, the company was bought by Chicago-based private equity firm UIB Capital, a premier provider of equity capital focused on investing in middle-market companies with significant opportunities for growth.

Ellington’s current line includes handbags, totes, travel bags, and wallets in fine leathers and fabrics. With a focus on signature materials and unique designs, Ellington's products communicate quality and character without large logos or trendy gimmicks.

Ellington products are available through specialty stores including Clarks and Eddie Bauer, national catalogs such as Garnet Hill, and online retailers including eBags.com. Private label partners include Sundance Catalog, Smith & Hawken, and Pendleton Woolen Mills. Ellington operates a branded store in Portland, Oregon, and maintains its own e-commerce website,

www.ellingtonleather.com
Chairman and Investor

Muttropolis

(Retail industry)

July 2008 — September 2009 (1 year 3 months)

About Muttropolis

With its first store opening in Solana Beach, California in 2002, and five stores now in operation, Muttropolis was named “Hottest Retail Concept of the Year” by the International Council of Shopping Centers in 2006 and has quickly marked its territory as the ultimate shopping experience for dog and cat owners in the rapidly expanding, $43 billion pet industry. Designed specifically for the "passionate pet parent," who considers their dog or cat to be a family member, Muttropolis, which does not sell pets, delights shoppers with the community feel of a friendly dog park and a personalized opportunity to pamper their furry friends.

www.muttropolis.com
President & CEO and Director

lucy activewear

(Privately Held; Retail industry)

June 2004 — November 2007 (3 years 6 months)

lucy is a Portland, Ore.-based lifestyle apparel company for women who value fit, style andperformance. lucy isn’t a specific person – she lives in all of us as we attempt to live a healthy,balanced life. Life is not only about being at the gym or yoga studio; it’s about the everyday routine of multi-tasking errands, activities with family and friends, and taking care of yourself from the inside out. An expert in active ways of life, lucy listens carefully to the needs of women and creates apparel with on-the-go performance and versatility, as well as a healthy dose of style and color. With its own lucy label and exclusive designs from other designers and brands, lucy stands apart and inspires confidence in those who wear the products and visit the stores.On August 24th, 2007 VF Corporation, a global leader in lifestyle branded apparel, completed its acquisition of lucy activewear, inc. As a result of the acquisition, lucy activewear inc. is now a whollyownedsubsidiary of VF Corporation

www.lucy.com
EVP Operations

Jo Ann Stores

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; JAS; Retail industry)

2001 — 2004 (3 years )
EVP Merchandising and CMO

West Marine

(Public Company; 5001-10,000 employees; WMAR; Retail industry)

1999 — 2001 (2 years )
Chairman of the Board

iGo

(Public Company; 51-200 employees; MOBE; Information Technology and Services industry)

October 1999 — January 2001 (1 year 4 months)
VP and GMM

Golfsmith

(Public Company; 501-1000 employees; GOLF; Sporting Goods industry)

1998 — 1999 (1 year )
SVP and GMM

CompUSA

(Privately Held; 10,001 or more employees; CPU; Consumer Electronics industry)

1990 — 1998 (8 years )
Merchandise Manager

Target Stores

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; TGT; Consumer Goods industry)

1988 — 1990 (2 years )
Buyer

May Department Stores

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; MAY; Retail industry)

June 1983 — May 1988 (5 years )