SEATTLE–Jack Schwefel, president of high-end housewares retailer Sur La Table, has been named chief executive officer of the company.
Schwefel takes the role held by Kathy Tierney, who has been appointed vice chairman of Sur La Table’s board of directors.
Schwefel joined the company in May 2006 as vice president of retail stores, and was named president in January 2007. Tierney will continue to be involved in the company but on a more limited basis, focusing on strategic planning and working with the executive team on select projects, according to a statement from Sur La Table.
Reporting to Schwefel are Debbie Brownfield, chief financial officer; Kerin Seeger, executive vice president of merchandising; Jeff Gottleib, vice president of retail operations; Brian Costello, vice president of planning and allocation; Kim Fuqua, vice president of online retail; Mary Jensen, vice president of human resources; Neal Cohen, vice president of marketing; and Robb Ginter, vice president of creative services.
Tierney said this was a “planned transition after I made the decision to move back to my home and family in California.” She joined Sur La Table as CEO in April 2004, and oversaw the retailer’s growth from 39 stores to its present 67 stores, as well as its expanded presence on the Internet.